Midnight Cowboy shows just how different the hollywood situation was in 1969. It was the only X Rated film to win an academy award. I enjoyed the freewheeling editing in the film, particularly the party scene and the various flashbacks.

The editing freakout, as seen in this film and others, notably Easy Rider, seems to have gone out of fashion. It is hard to imagine this film receiving the Oscar today. Hollywood has grown increasingly conservative in recent years, as evidenced by the last string of best picture winners;

No Country for Old Men (2007)

The Departed (2006)

Crash (2005)

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

The Lord of the Rings; Return of the King (2003)

Chicago (2002)

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Gladiator (2000)

None of these films could be considered experimental (with the exception of No Country) by a long shot. They are entertaining, straightforward narratives, but most of them aren’t worth seeing more than once. With the exception of Crash, which I loathe, I enjoyed all of these movies. I don’t think any of them are going to make much of a mark on the history of cinema though.

Still, Universal had its best year ever in 2008 despite a dismal economy. There’s a reason for all of it, but sometimes I wish I was in an America where Midnight Cowboy could still win an Oscar.

a winning smile.