Hud (1963)

 This is an excellent film, which is also essentially a four person drama. 

Paul Newman is brilliant as the jackass Hud Bannon the younger son of a respected rancher. The father and son do not get along especially after it is determined that the cows could have foot and mouth disease is absolutely wretched. Hud wants to sell before the diagnosis is final while his moral father absolutely refuses. Turns out the two haven't gotten along for years as Hud just doesn't care about anyone other than himself. And that was before Hud was driving drunk and killed his brother, leaving his nephew, Lonnie (Brandon De Wilde) an orphan. Still, Lonnie adores his uncle ignoring Hud's womanizing and boozing ways, until Hud nearly rapes their respected housekeeper, Alma (Patricia Neal). In end, Hud gets what he wants, the ranch all to himself but there is nothing for him. Alma and Lonnie left, not together, separately and Homer (Melvyn Douglas), Hud's father died tragically. 

Despite the somewhat depressing nature of the film, the acting is impeccable and while new ground isn't necessarily broken, the themes are timeless and done quite well. And Homer is one of the most moral characters ever portrayed in cinema. Newman is at the top of his game here despite being a total ass. I also liked the ambiguous ending. He still has the potential to be a wealthy man, if oil is found on the land or he could be even poorer than at the start of the film. Grade: A-

Side Notes:

-Douglas is one of two actors who won an Oscar for portraying a Homer in 1962. Sydney Poitier won his for Lilies of the Field's Homer Smith. 

-Alma has some of the best lines in history: "I've done my time with one cold-hearted bastard, I'm not looking for another." And "I don't like pigs."

-Though Lonnie appalled that Hud nearly raped Alma, he still chalks it up to the fact that Hud was drunk, which he was. But at least Hud apologizes, which is more than most. He's still a jerk though.