Hud (1963)

Nominated for 7 Academy Awards:

Best Director: Martin Ritt

Best Actor: Paul Newman

Best Actress: Patricia Neal (WON)

Best Supporting Actor: Melvyn Douglas (WON)

Best Adapted Screenplay

Best Cinematography, Black-and-White (WON)

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White

 

I dare to say had Hud been nominated for Best Picture, as was expected, it would’ve been a very serious contender for the win. And, I also dare to say, had it had a better, more uplifting or energetic ending, it would’ve been considered a real classic. The film is good, and the screenplay is solid, I would’ve just chosen a more meaningful last chapter.

The actors give strong performances, though. Newman playing a bad boy in a film that exploits his charm and good looks is bound for something iconic. He also delivers with the acting, and it’s a very fine performance. Patricia Neal won Best Actress for ~20 minutes on screen, and the win is ridiculous. She is good in a role that is not too demanding and she would’ve been a great nominee for Supporting, but she had absolutely no business being in lead, let alone win it. Odd choice from the voters to allow this category placement, usually it happens the other way around.

But the guy who steals the scenes in terms of acting was, for me, Melvyn Douglas, who delivers a heartwarming performance as the patriarch dealing with unexpected problems. He brings a lot of humanity to the role, you feel like you know the man, and he truly is the moral compass of the film. Superb performance.

 

I give it: 8/10

IMDB LINK