It's not as strong but it's a very good movie about friendship. It's similar in that it has lots of muddled or filler scenes to complicate things, but it also has lots of unusually good scenes or moments that really stick with you.
shareI have seen neither film in over 40 years but remember quite a lot from "Bang the Drum Slowly" and very little from "Midnight Cowboy"...so I think I know what stuck with me. Back in the early 70's I thought this was a much better film than the "Best Film" winner.
Oh Lord, you gave them eyes but they cannot see...