Legendary western writer Larry McMurty
("Lonesome Dove", "The Last Picture Show",
"Terms of Endearment") was still in his
twenties when his novel "Hud" was turned
into a major motion picture. The script,
adapted by Harriet Frank Jr. and Irving
Ravetch, was more than a morality play
involving family members of differing
generations and values. The script also
brought its setting to life: the dusty,
dry plains, the cattle herds, the ranchers
who tend them, the small town where
everybody knows everybody, and nobody
has any secrets.

Paul Newman had one of his best roles
as Hud, a swaggering no-account whose
intelligence and charm cannot long
hide his indifference to everything
except his own self. As the film
unfolds, Hud's lack of morality becomes
more obvious, making his character
one of Newman's least sympathetic.

Hud is the son of elderly rancher Homer
Bannon (Melvyn Douglas), who is as
upright as Hud is selfish. Homer lives
with his grandson Lon (Brandon de Wilde)
and housekeeper Alma (Patricia Neal).
Lon is barely an adult, and is influenced
by both the contrasting characters of
Homer and Hud. Alma, aging but still
attractive, has escaped a past bad marriage
and gracefully fends off passes from both
Lon and Hud. The major characters have
great depth, and enough contrast to provide
excellent dramatic tension.

The quality of "Hud" was apparent to the
Academy, which nominated the film for seven
Oscars. Newman was nominated but failed
to win Best Actor, as was the case for
"The Hustler" a few years before. Martin
Ritt, who also directed Newman in "The Long,
Hot Summer" and "Hombre", was also nominated,
as was the screenplay and the sets. James
Wong Howe won for his cinematography, one
of his ten career Academy Award nominations.
Douglas and Neal won Best Supporting Actor
and Actress, with Neal's performance
probably the most memorable of her career. (84/100)



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday evening