Midnight Cowboy (1969)

Midnight Cowboy was one of the most daring films of its time. Released during a period of significant social upheaval and cultural change, it brought an unflinching look at the underbelly of American life, chronicling the story of an unlikely friendship between two down-and-out characters in New York City. The film explores themes of isolation, poverty, human desire, and the harsh realities of urban life, all wrapped in a gritty, often painful narrative. It broke boundaries both in terms of its content and its portrayal of human vulnerability, becoming one of the first films to receive an X-rating despite having no explicit content, simply because of its mature themes and frank depiction of sexuality and human despair.

At the time of its release, Midnight Cowboy was revolutionary in its depiction of outsider characters and the complexities of human relationships. Directed by John Schlesinger, the film tackled subjects of loneliness, dreams deferred, and friendship in ways that had not been seen in mainstream Hollywood films, making it one of the most important cinematic achievements of the 1960s and a crucial touchstone in American film history.

Plot Summary (Spoilers Ahead)

Midnight Cowboy follows the journey of Joe Buck (Jon Voight), a naïve young man from Texas who travels to New York City with the hope of making it big as a gigolo. Joe arrives in the city with idealized fantasies about the women who will pay him for sex, believing he can find fortune and fulfilment in the big city. His naïveté, however, is soon shattered when he finds the harsh realities of life in New York's underbelly.

Joe’s efforts to find clients as a male prostitute are unsuccessful, and his naïve, hopeful nature makes him an easy target for exploitation. He struggles to survive in the city’s bustling streets, out of place and overwhelmed by the harshness of his new life.

In the midst of his struggle, he meets Ratso Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman), a sickly, disabled con artist and petty hustler who is also living on the fringes of society. Ratso, whose physical condition is deteriorating, persuades Joe to let him stay with him in his run-down apartment. Though Joe initially views Ratso with disdain, the two men develop an unlikely friendship. Ratso's street smarts complement Joe's naive optimism, and together, they form a partnership of survival, both seeking a way out of their desolate circumstances.

As the film progresses, the bond between the two men deepens, with both characters exposed as vulnerable and searching for something they can never quite find. Joe eventually finds some fleeting success as a male escort, but his life remains empty, marked by profound loneliness and emotional isolation. Meanwhile, Ratso’s health deteriorates, and his dreams of escaping to the warmth of Florida become symbolic of his longing for a better life. In the end, Ratso dies on the bus to Florida, his dream unfulfilled, leaving Joe to face the future alone, still struggling to find meaning in a world that has rejected him.

Themes and Analysis

Loneliness and Isolation

One of the most powerful themes in Midnight Cowboy is the profound loneliness that permeates the lives of both Joe and Ratso. Joe’s journey to New York is driven by a sense of isolation—he’s attempting to escape his mundane life in Texas and searching for connection and success in a city that offers him nothing but rejection. Despite his bright-eyed optimism, Joe is alone, a victim of his own illusions and naiveté.

Ratso, on the other hand, has long been resigned to a life of isolation. His physical ailments and desperation make him an outcast, and his need for Joe is partly borne out of a desire for companionship and a sense of human connection. Throughout the film, Ratso's dream of escaping to Florida symbolizes a quest for warmth, both literal and emotional—a desire for human kindness and a break from the harsh reality he faces. In the absence of true connection, Ratso clings to his dream of Florida as a metaphor for an idealized world that is ultimately unattainable.

The film poignantly contrasts the emotional isolation of these two men with the bustling, impersonal nature of New York City itself. While the city is filled with people, it is also a place of profound emotional coldness. The film’s cinematography—particularly the shots of New York’s neon-lit streets and crowded subway cars—reinforces the idea of isolation, with Joe and Ratso often framed against the backdrop of a vast, uncaring world.

The American Dream and its Discontents

At the heart of Joe Buck's journey is his belief in the American Dream. He arrives in New York with a simplistic notion that he can "make it" through hard work and charm, but quickly realizes that success in the city comes at a price. Joe’s initial confidence is shattered as he finds himself unable to survive as a gigolo. His dreams of wealth, fame, and sex are dashed, revealing the disillusionment that many people face when their ideals clash with the harsh realities of life.

Ratso’s life, too, is marked by a similar disillusionment with the American Dream. He is physically broken, financially destitute, and isolated. His dream of escaping to Florida, of living a life of ease and warmth, is symbolic of a larger disillusionment with the idea of “freedom” in America—where dreams are often unattainable, especially for those without privilege.

The film’s portrayal of Joe and Ratso as marginalized figures speaks to a broader critique of the American Dream. Their struggle reflects the theme that the promises of success, happiness, and fulfilment are often illusions for those on the fringes of society.

Friendship and Human Connection

While the primary relationship in Midnight Cowboy is between Joe and Ratso, it is also one of the most unusual portrayals of friendship in film history. Their bond develops slowly over the course of the film, starting with mutual need but eventually growing into something deeper and more complex. Their friendship is born out of necessity: Joe needs someone to guide him through the streets of New York, and Ratso needs someone to care for him in his deteriorating health. However, it evolves into a tender, if imperfect, emotional connection.

The film delicately explores the idea that friendship can provide a fleeting sense of meaning and purpose in a world that otherwise seems indifferent to human suffering. Ratso and Joe are both seeking redemption in their own ways, but their ultimate fates reflect the impossibility of finding true fulfilment in a world that is indifferent to their needs.

Their friendship provides a glimpse of hope in an otherwise bleak existence. In their final moments together, Joe's desperate attempt to carry Ratso to Florida serves as a poignant symbol of his own yearning for something better, something more human than the empty existence he’s been living.

Gender, Sexuality, and Power

The film also explores the themes of sexuality and power dynamics, particularly through Joe’s role as a male prostitute. In the 1960s, male prostitution was often viewed as a taboo subject, and Midnight Cowboy was one of the first films to openly explore this, albeit in a complex and ambiguous way. Joe’s interactions with women in the film are marked by exploitation and misunderstanding, as his sexual encounters rarely align with the romantic ideal he initially envisions.

Joe’s occupation as a gigolo complicates the typical notions of masculinity and sexual power. His physical attractiveness is his main source of self-worth, but he also finds himself humiliated by the very thing that he thought would bring him success. The film thus critiques both the commodification of sex and the damaging effects of seeing oneself solely through the lens of physicality and sexual availability.

Ratso’s portrayal as a disabled, downtrodden man also complicates the traditional roles of masculinity in the film. Though he is not a sexual figure in the same way Joe is, his survival is also based on his ability to con and manipulate others. His dependence on Joe highlights the fragile nature of the power dynamics in their relationship.

Performances

The performances in Midnight Cowboy are nothing short of extraordinary. Jon Voight’s portrayal of Joe Buck is a masterclass in subtlety, capturing the character’s innocence, confusion, and eventual heartbreak. Voight’s ability to shift between vulnerability and defiance, particularly in scenes where Joe is forced to confront his own shortcomings, makes the character deeply relatable and tragic.

Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal of Ratso Rizzo is equally compelling. Hoffman fully inhabits the character of Ratso, a physically deteriorating, cynical con artist with a rough exterior but a yearning for something more. His performance is imbued with pathos, especially in the later scenes, where Ratso’s deteriorating health and unfulfilled dreams make his final moments all the more heart-wrenching.

The film also features strong supporting performances, particularly from Sylvia Miles, who earned an Academy Award nomination for her role as a wealthy woman who briefly becomes involved with Joe. Her scene with Voight, which contains raw and desperate sexuality, is one of the film's most memorable.

Direction and Cinematic Style

John Schlesinger's direction is integral to the film's success. Schlesinger’s approach is naturalistic, immersing the viewer in the gritty, vibrant world of New York City. The use of street-level shots, quick cuts, and intimate close-ups gives the film an almost documentary-like feel, heightening the sense of realism.

The film’s cinematography, by Nestor Almendros, captures the bleakness of New York with stunning visual precision. The use of light and shadow—particularly in scenes set on the streets or in dingy apartments—emphasizes the isolation and desperation of the characters. Schlesinger also employs innovative editing techniques, such as dream-like montages, to convey Joe’s inner emotional state and the fractured nature of his reality.

The film's music, composed by John Barry, features an evocative score that complements the film’s mood perfectly. The haunting, melancholy theme of the film adds emotional weight, underscoring the themes of loneliness and longing.

Legacy and Influence

Upon its release, Midnight Cowboy was a critical and commercial success. It won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, making it the first and only X-rated film to ever win that honour. The film's raw portrayal of sexuality, its unflinching examination of human fragility, and its ground breaking performances have left an indelible mark on cinema. Midnight Cowboy has influenced generations of filmmakers and continues to be regarded as one of the most important films of the 20th century.

Conclusion

Midnight Cowboy is a haunting, poignant, and unflinching look at the struggle for human connection, the broken promises of the American Dream, and the harsh realities of survival. Through its compelling performances, realistic direction, and powerful themes, it remains a film that challenges, captivates, and resonates deeply with audiences. It is both a product of its time and a timeless exploration of the human condition.