My Favorite Film Thus Far

Out of all the films we've been watching throughout the year, one has stood out to me as the best by far. It has existentialist themes, a kickass soundtrack, and engaging characters that really draw you in to the story. That film is Midnight Cowboy. The underdog that is Joe Buck resonated with me from the start. I was amused by the way he dressed, enthralled by his accent, and enraptured by his quirky, unbeatable attitude. Joe's story, from start to finish, made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. The music in the beginning really set the tone for the rest of the film. The guitar in "Everybody's Talking" brings the lighthearted but powerful mood to the audience, while the lyrics really paint the picture of a man who thinks beyond the expectations of others. By pairing Joe Buck with "Ratso" Rizzo, the director shows us the ultimate contrast: one is a cocksure young gigolo-to-be, while the other is a crippled street rat looking to score enough dough to escape his awful life in the Big Apple. Rizzo spends his entire life under the scrutinizing eye of others, mostly from his disability. By meeting Joe Buck, he is finally shown that there are some people who can love you beyond your appearance, even if your appearance is that of a sleazy crippled con artist. The ending of Midnight Cowboy was one of the few to actually leave me feeling the emotions that radiated from the screen. Joe sacrificed everything he wanted in life out of love for his only true friend, and Rizzo was given his paradise long before ever reaching Florida. To make the audience truly feel is the hallmark of any great film, and Midnight Cowboy does just that. This is a movie that will stick with me for a long time, and I'm grateful I was able to see it.