Midnight Cowboy

Midnight Cowboy (1969), directed by John Schlesinger, is a gritty, groundbreaking drama that tells the story of Joe Buck (Jon Voight), a naive Texan who moves to New York City dreaming of success as a hustler. There he meets Ratso Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman), a streetwise but sickly con man. The two form an unlikely bond as they struggle to survive in the unforgiving city. With its unflinching look at urban poverty, loneliness, and disillusionment, the film broke cinematic taboos and redefined Hollywood storytelling.

The film’s haunting emotional core is elevated by its memorable score composed by John Barry, with the standout track “Everybody’s Talkin’” performed by Harry Nilsson. Although not originally written for the film, the song became inseparable from its identity—its wistful lyrics and breezy tone providing poignant contrast to the grim reality onscreen. Barry’s instrumental score blends melancholy strings with urban textures, creating a mood that’s both intimate and reflective.

Midnight Cowboy became the first—and only—X-rated film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. The score and soundtrack were praised for adding a lyrical, dreamlike quality to a harsh story, giving the film its emotional resonance and iconic status.