Late 60's counterculture was all about knee-jerk reaction to established moral and aesthetic standards. The conventional cultural standard for masculinity was the strong, rugged John Wayne type. If you're looking for the polar opposite of rugged masculinity, you could hardly do better than a scrawny runt like Dustin Hoffman. If Paul Rubens were available at the time, he could have fit the bill too.
The reason Hoffman didn't persist as a sex symbol had nothing to do with him playing Ratso and more to do with the fact that he was latched onto as a faux sex symbol out of rebellion to convention more than anything else. Usually when something is promoted for the sake of being a contrarian, it doesn't last. Who listens to or performs John Cage's (anti)music these days, for instance?
What bothers me more about Hoffman's career is that after the late 70's or early 80's he pretty much gave up on his considerable early acting talent and phoned in every performance in one mediocre, forgettable move after another.
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zensixties
7 years ago
Well one notable exception is Rainman, but yes I know what you mean with Hook and all that other junk. But I don't blame him or any other actors who cash in on their fame, because most actors are dead broke. Mike Nichols chose him for The Graduate, which was the quintessential '60s film. Actually, am I the only one who notices that both of these films end with Dustin Hoffman on a bus and other passengers staring?
For who would bear the whips and scorns of Hollywood... (;-p)
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kag2
7 years ago
As a kid, I remember the advertising signs for this movie, which essentially said:
DUSTIN HOFFMAN
in
MIDNIGHT COWBOY
Even though he was just a supporting actor. But he sure was box office magic after The Graduate.
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