Hoffman made this film just two years after The Graduate, and portrays someone significantly older and with an entirely different background and life experience. He could play anything.
Hoffman always said that he was a character actor at heart and that's where he feels more comfortable playing these type of roles. I can't image anyone else playing Ratso Rizzo, he owned it.
Even the film stock is perfect in this great film. By the way that harmonica at the end, it's Toots Theilsmans. Brilliant musician who helped create the 60's Quincy Jones sound, along with Rahssan Roland Kirk.
this film, although a bit dated, (40 yrs.) is a true testament to the lonliness and bleakness of the streets on NY. Sad and depressing it nonetheless capturesand delivers the tale of an unusual bond between a crippled hustler and naive cowboy. In the closeup of Voight we can see the facial beauty of Angelina.
It was pretty much obvious, that won't be a "tough criticism", because this movie is a classical masterpiece. Nothing is wrong with this film, all of the actors/actresses were phenomenal. All the characters, the main roles, the support roles, or even the extras. Just a pure art, a pleasure to see... Only bad thing personally for me is, that it was not released on 4K Blu-Ray, but just a standard one. I would like to buy a 4K Blu-Ray of this jewel.
Look at Jon Voight's face on the bus next to Rizzo. Does that face look like a person who has reached a new level of maturity and wisdom?? What is A.O. Scott talking about?? Joe Buck is as scared as hell! He briefly found friendship and then it was taken away from him and now he's back alone. This story is ultimately about human loneliness. How we make attempts at reaching out and forming relationships only to have those relationships die on us, leaving us scared and terribly...alone.
I'll grant you that. I didn't think about the fact that Rizzo died in the warm sunshine and in the company of Joe. But I still feel that Joe does not look very confident. More very worried.
Yes, he threw away the cowboy getup and admitted his plans of hustling in the city were bum. He’s looking towards a more conventional future. He shed some of his naïveté and gained a new perspective. I would say he reached a new level of maturity.
@robotpanda77 This film is nothing like a western, I don't know what you're talking about. Oh well, I guess you really need to sit down and watch this movie, and if you already have...then do it again, please.
One of those films which open The Doors of perception - to certain interesting worlds - NYC around 1970 - and persisting problems as the breakdown of families especially in the US. An audiovisual treat, a disturbing dip into the misery on the margins of society. How Joe Buck gets to "maturity and wisdom" at the end I don't understand. Amazing to find Dustin Hoffman again riding in a bus at the end of a movie but so different.
This is an excellent film all around. Starting in late 1960s, movie finales took a dark turn. Films like this one, Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Boys in the Band and many others had no happy endings.
Congratulations "A. O.", for your attempt to encapsulate a sublime film and in the process trivializing it. But the film will survive (easily) your feather light appraisal.
My Mother was in this film , as a waitress in the Donut shop scene.
I am very proud that she was even a small part of an iconic film!
She's important. Represented the other choice. When a waitress wants to talk to you, you're in a golden light.
@sclogse ......Thank You brother.
I think that's fantastic! Is she still with us? How proud of her you must be; I really mean that.
Yes, thankfully she’s 82 now but with dementia
Thank you all for your kind kind words
I hope your mom is doing well. This is one of my favorite movies. I rented it. I’ll watch out for your mom!
The humanity in this film jumps off the screen. It still shakes me so many decades later.
Hoffman made this film just two years after The Graduate, and portrays someone significantly older and with an entirely different background and life experience. He could play anything.
Hoffman always said that he was a character actor at heart and that's where he feels more comfortable playing these type of roles. I can't image anyone else playing Ratso Rizzo, he owned it.
imagine if he was in The Godfather or Apocalypse Now
Even the film stock is perfect in this great film. By the way that harmonica at the end, it's Toots Theilsmans. Brilliant musician who helped create the 60's Quincy Jones sound, along with Rahssan Roland Kirk.
He followed Quincy into the 70s too (Smackwater Jack LP).
Best "friends" movie of all time
I love this film so much, especially the editing. the flashbacks fit so well!
One of the best movie ever! So raw even for today.
That accent. Dustin Hoffman is a beast.
One of those rare films you saw as a child and can remember it like you saw it yesterday
Worth watching if you haven't seen it. Dustin Hoffman is great.
Voight's better
Dustin Hoffman plays the street wise New Yorker, Voight the hick from Texas. In real life, Hoffman was from LA and Voight was from Yonkers.
this film, although a bit dated, (40 yrs.) is a true testament to the lonliness and bleakness of the streets on NY. Sad and depressing it nonetheless capturesand delivers the tale of an unusual bond between a crippled hustler and naive cowboy.
In the closeup of Voight we can see the facial beauty of Angelina.
Enrico Rizzo from the bronx
God bless Sylvia Miles; She passed away recently.
It was pretty much obvious, that won't be a "tough criticism",
because this movie is a classical masterpiece.
Nothing is wrong with this film,
all of the actors/actresses were phenomenal.
All the characters, the main roles,
the support roles,
or even the extras.
Just a pure art, a pleasure to see...
Only bad thing personally for me is,
that it was not released on 4K Blu-Ray,
but just a standard one.
I would like to buy a 4K Blu-Ray of this jewel.
Look at Jon Voight's face on the bus next to Rizzo. Does that face look like a person who has reached a new level of maturity and wisdom?? What is A.O. Scott talking about?? Joe Buck is as scared as hell! He briefly found friendship and then it was taken away from him and now he's back alone. This story is ultimately about human loneliness. How we make attempts at reaching out and forming relationships only to have those relationships die on us, leaving us scared and terribly...alone.
I'll grant you that. I didn't think about the fact that Rizzo died in the warm sunshine and in the company of Joe. But I still feel that Joe does not look very confident. More very worried.
Yes, he threw away the cowboy getup and admitted his plans of hustling in the city were bum. He’s looking towards a more conventional future.
He shed some of his naïveté and gained a new perspective. I would say he reached a new level of maturity.
Nope. I agree with Scott. Sorry. Watch it again.
@@daytripperhd No need to watch it again. Joe Buck maybe wiser for it but he's scared. Watch it again.
Toward the very end his facial expression is extremely resolute. Watch clip again.
I'm walkin here!
Real cabby incident. Drove right onto the set. Improvised by Hoffman.
one of my favourite classic movies and the ending is so sad
My most favorite movie ever.
some of the best editing i have seen in a film
I agree. The cutting is superb.
My fave movie of all time
Agree one of the best films ever made and the best music score!! That haunting harmonica!!
This movie is too good to rate.
To describe....is to distort.
agreed. it is timeless.
Very profound. touche'
@@daytripperhd wonderful!
Yeah, that's a good point. I agree.
Fantastic movie, great acting and the music was awesome.
Amazing story, just watched it for the first time, reminded me of my friendships as a child
@robotpanda77 This film is nothing like a western, I don't know what you're talking about. Oh well, I guess you really need to sit down and watch this movie, and if you already have...then do it again, please.
AMAZING FILM
I didn't see it as Joe Buck reaching "a new level of maturity and wisdom". I just saw him as lonelier than ever.
It was rated X because the MPAA thought the homosexuality was inappropriate for
One of those films which open The Doors of perception - to certain interesting worlds - NYC around 1970 - and persisting problems as the breakdown of families especially in the US. An audiovisual treat, a disturbing dip into the misery on the margins of society. How Joe Buck gets to "maturity and wisdom" at the end I don't understand. Amazing to find Dustin Hoffman again riding in a bus at the end of a movie but so different.
How cool films once really were.. Sigh!
They still are, you just gotta look in the right places!
I just watched it last night for the 1st time and it holds up. It's ahead of it's time and still is
This is an excellent film all around. Starting in late 1960s, movie finales took a dark turn. Films like this one, Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Boys in the Band and many others had no happy endings.
They don't make them like this anymore!
2:29
Epic Of Gilgamesh - 2100 B.C
Illiad - 762 B.C
*Huckleberry Fin - 1884*
Mr. O'Daniel was the salesman in Breakfast at Tiffany's ☺️
best acting of all time by both
A new level of maturity and wisdom?
Huh? I don't think AO and I watched the same third act.
shoulda got best actor oscar either of them giving it to wayne was a sham
15 year old video on RUclips wow awesome stuff
Hey! His name is Rico.
Congratulations "A. O.", for your attempt to encapsulate a sublime film and in the process trivializing it. But the film will survive (easily) your feather light appraisal.
Hoffman the goat
Best movie ever made!!
It's a unique 1 of a kind film 🎥 not unlike Marty's 🚕 Taxi Driver
The one perfect movie.
this reviewer obviously saw the r-rated version of the movie. the x-rating was well deserved for the original version
My dad asked what movie are you going to see? I said a Western, Midnight Cowboy.
Let's say it straight: Midnight Cowboy is the best American film ever made. No? Name one better. Thought so..................
Brilliant cast, down to the smallest role.
Summer of 69
farhan ahmed was here from film class
The dark side of the counter culture:(
@dani9714 The movie called "midnight cowboy" and you are telling me there are no cowboys in it?! BULLSHIT!
huh?
Homosexuality in Midnight Cowboy? It's all explained right here www.ruthlessreviews.com/22307/midnight-cowboy/
Was anyone not a cowboy in movies back then? Both best actress and actor went to western flicks. I guess nowadays they would be vampires.
Overrated then and now