Midnight Cowboy Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Texan dreams of being a gigolo in NYC, but ends up just making friends with a sickly guy and learning about friendship on a bus trip to Florida that doesn’t end well.

🍿 Midnight Cowboy: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Joe Arrives in New York

Joe Buck, a naive Texan dishwasher, arrives in New York City hoping to make a fortune as a male prostitute. He’s dressed in cowboy attire, envisioning a glamorous life with wealthy women. However, he quickly learns that New York is not what he expected and that he is the one being hustled.

Meeting Ratso Rizzo

Joe encounters Enrico ‘Ratso’ Rizzo, a small-time con artist with a limp, who initially scams him out of $20. Broke and disillusioned, Joe finds himself drawn to Ratso, and they form an unlikely alliance. Ratso offers Joe a place to stay in a condemned building, and they attempt to navigate the harsh realities of the city together.

Struggles and Flashbacks

As Joe and Ratso struggle to survive, the film intercuts with flashbacks from Joe’s past, revealing a troubled upbringing marked by neglect and traumatic experiences. These flashbacks provide insight into Joe’s naivete and his flawed understanding of relationships. Ratso shares his own dreams of escaping to Miami for a better life, fueled by his deteriorating health.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joe Buck (Jon Voight): A naive and handsome Texan who travels to New York City hoping to become a successful male prostitute.
• Ratso Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman): A sickly, small-time con artist who befriends Joe and dreams of escaping to Florida.
• Cass (Sylvia Miles): A well-to-do middle-aged New Yorker who briefly engages with Joe, showcasing the harsh realities of his hustling aspirations.
• Mr. O’Daniel (John McGiver): A religious zealot posing as a pimp, representing the deceptive underbelly of New York City.
• Shirley (Brenda Vaccaro): A socialite who offers Joe a glimpse of potential success, though their encounter reveals Joe’s naivety.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ratso Rizzo: “I’m walking here! I’m walking here!” – Ratso yells this iconic line after being nearly hit by a taxi, showcasing his streetwise and confrontational personality.
• Ratso Rizzo: “You know, I could be a manager. Yeah, I could manage you, Joe. I know people.” – Ratso pitches himself to Joe, hoping to improve their situation, highlighting his delusions of grandeur and manipulative nature.
• Joe Buck: “I ain’t no fag.” – Joe vehemently denies any homosexual tendencies when Ratso suggests it, revealing Joe’s insecurity about his masculinity.
• Ratso Rizzo: “Miami Beach, here I come!.” – Ratso’s repeated exclamation that shows his yearning for a better life and an escape from the harsh realities of New York City.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,600,000
• Domestic Gross: $44,785,053
• Worldwide Gross: $44,802,964

💥 Midnight Cowboy Reviews

Personal Review

Midnight Cowboy hit me hard. I felt like I was walking the streets of New York with Joe and Ratso. The ending gutted me, seeing Joe’s face as he realized Ratso was gone. It’s a movie that makes you think about the people who are struggling around you every day. The flashbacks felt a little disjointed at times, but the overall story of friendship and survival is incredibly powerful. It will leave a lasting impression. I will not forget these characters.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic dramas”
  • “Those interested in character-driven stories”
  • “Viewers who appreciate films that explore social issues”
  • “People who enjoy films with strong performances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depiction of sexual themes including prostitution and implied homosexuality”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “References to sexual assault”
  • “Drug use”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Midnight Cowboy is a raw, unforgettable portrait of urban loneliness. Hoffman and Voight deliver career-defining performances, capturing the vulnerability and desperation of their characters with remarkable depth. Schlesinger’s direction is masterful, painting a vivid picture of late-60s New York.
• Variety: “A landmark film that dares to explore controversial themes with unflinching honesty. The chemistry between Hoffman and Voight is electric, and the film’s gritty realism is both captivating and disturbing. Schlesinger’s direction is innovative, using editing and camerawork to create a visceral viewing experience.
• RogerEbert.com: “A powerful and poignant masterpiece. Midnight Cowboy is a film that stays with you long after the credits roll. The performances are iconic, and the film’s exploration of friendship and loneliness is timeless. Schlesinger’s ability to create empathy for these flawed characters is a testament to his skill as a director.

Audience Reactions

The raw, unflinching portrayal of New York City in the late 60s resonated strongly with viewers.: The performances of Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight are universally praised for their authenticity and emotional depth.

Viewers found the unlikely friendship between Joe and Ratso to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking.: The film’s exploration of loneliness, desperation, and the search for connection is deeply moving and relatable.

Overall Consensus: Midnight Cowboy is a groundbreaking film celebrated for its powerful performances, unflinching realism, and poignant exploration of friendship and loneliness. It is a must-see for fans of classic cinema and those interested in character-driven stories.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Picture)- 1970
2. Academy Award (Best Director)- 1970
3. Academy Award (Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium)- 1970
4. BAFTA Awards (Best Film)- 1970
5. BAFTA Awards (Best Director)- 1970
6. BAFTA Awards (Best Screenplay)- 1970

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Midnight Cowboy was the first and only X-rated film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. The rating was later changed to R.”
• “Dustin Hoffman prepared for his role by observing homeless people in New York City, even sleeping in different clothes to get the feel of being unwashed.”
• “The famous line, “I’m walking here! I’m walking here!” was ad-libbed by Dustin Hoffman when a taxi nearly hit him during filming. The scene was kept in the movie.”
• “The film’s soundtrack, featuring Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talkin'”, became a cultural touchstone, perfectly capturing the loneliness and alienation of the characters.”

🖥️ How to Watch Midnight Cowboy?

Midnight Cowboy is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or purchase it on Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for television airings. Consider purchasing the DVD or Blu-ray for a physical copy, often available through major online retailers like Amazon, which allows for offline viewing and supports the preservation of physical media.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Midnight Cowboy, you might like these similar films:

• Taxi Driver (1976): Both films explore the dark underbelly of New York City through the eyes of alienated and troubled protagonists.
• Drugstore Cowboy (1989): Another film that dives into the life of drug addicts that struggle to survive while dealing with their addictions.
• The Last Detail (1973): Explores the unlikely friendship between two Navy men escorting a young offender to prison, focusing on their shared experiences and evolving bond.
• Brokeback Mountain (2005): Like Midnight Cowboy, Brokeback Mountain is about the complex relationship between two men in a time of significant change.

🛒 Midnight Cowboy Related Products

• Midnight Cowboy [Blu-ray]: Experience Midnight Cowboy in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Includes special features and behind-the-scenes content for true fans.
• Everybody’s Talkin’: The Music of Midnight Cowboy [Audio CD]: Relive the iconic soundtrack of Midnight Cowboy with this remastered audio CD. Featuring Harry Nilsson’s legendary song and other memorable tracks from the film.
• Dustin Hoffman: An Intimate Portrait [Paperback]: Delve into the life and career of Dustin Hoffman, one of the greatest actors of all time, with this insightful biography. Learn about his preparation for the role of Ratso Rizzo and his impact on cinema.
• New York City: Then and Now – A Photographic Journey [Hardcover]: Explore the transformation of New York City from the late 1960s to the present day with this stunning photographic collection. See how the city’s landmarks and neighborhoods have changed over the decades.

🎧 Soundtrack

Midnight Cowboy features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Everybody’s Talkin'” – performed by Harry Nilsson
• “A Famous Myth” – performed by The Groop
• “Tears and Joys” – performed by Claudio Gizo

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Midnight Cowboy Wins Best Picture: 1970 Oscars

Ever wondered how it felt when ‘Midnight Cowboy’ won Best Picture at the Oscars? Relive that iconic moment with Elizabeth Taylor presenting the award here.

Mark Kermode – “Midnight Cowboy”

Prepare to be amazed as film critic Mark Kermode steps out of his comfort zone and rocks the harmonica solo from ‘Midnight Cowboy’ with a live orchestra. You won’t believe your ears!

Why “Literally Me” Characters Are So Important

Have you ever felt like a character in a movie was speaking directly to you? Delve into the fascinating concept of ‘literally me’ characters in film, with ‘Midnight Cowboy’ as a standout example.

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