Hud

Paul Newman is Hud, a cowboy working on his father's farm somewhere in Texas. A case of foot and mouth-disease endangers their livelihood and widens a rift between father and son. Based on the novel by Larry McMurtry, also starring Patricia Neal and directed by Martin Ritt.

The film takes place in the same world as The Last Picture Show, another novel by McMurtry. It might even be the same little town for all I know; there's a scene where Hud's father and nephew go to the movies. It's the kind of Godforsaken small town hole that can't be too fun to live in but that looks very cinematic on the screen. The film, shot in black and white, is quite dark. Newman plays a rather unappealing, selfish character - there's even a scene where he tries to force himself on Patricia Neal, the farm's housekeeper. It's a good performance by Newman. Films from this period - the film was made in 62 - are often quite interesting. They are sometimes more ambiguous than the classic Hollywood films from the 40s and the 50s but not yet as selfconscious and arty as the films that came later in the 60s by the new filmschool generation.