Hud, based on the novel by Larry McMurtry, directed by Martin Ritt, with Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, 10 out of 10

Hud, based on the novel by Larry McMurtry, directed by Martin Ritt, with Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas

10 out of 10

This will be a look at this extraordinary film, using Positive Psychology glasses or said otherwise:

Through a Glass Brightly

1963 was the year of 8 ½, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film and Tom Jones, the Best Film at the Academy Awards

But I would say that Hud was just as good, if not better, even if it won three Oscars, without getting nominated as Best Motion Picture

There are three generations in this superb artwork and they have a complicated relationship with each other

Paul Newman is outstanding, as always, in the role of Hud Bannon, a complex personage that has a more prominent negative side

Homer Bannon is Hud’s father, who does not like this remaining son, responsible for the death of Lonnie’s father.

Lonnie is the third generation, grandson to Homer and an important moral and working support in his old age

Homer I not without faults, as a father he has been rather hard, we would call this abusive today

However, he has plenty of the Character Strengths identified by the father of Positive Psychology, Martin Seligman:

Integrity, Persistence, Bravery, Perspective, Citizenship, Fairness, Mercy, Leadership, Modesty

This hero also proves:

Vitality, Love, Kindness, Social Intelligence, Gratitude, Hope, Self- regulation, Spirituality and Prudence

Hud on the other hand stands accused of being:

Selfish…you only think of yourself

That’s why you can’t be with others…says Homer Bannon

Indeed, the main character I almost a negative hero, the bad guy that would need someone to fight him

Not that Hud engages in too few fights

The “hero” is Brave, has Vitality, Persistence, some Perspective, maybe Love of Learning and Social Intelligence

But he I not at all Modest or Fair, he shows no Gratitude, on the contrary, he thinks his father was rough with him

Hud might have gotten at least some of that right

Nevertheless, he now tries to get control of the farm, by having his father declared unfit to manage it and get the land under his administration

Lonnie is seventeen and in the first part of the film admires Hud, wanting to be pretty much like his uncle.

Nevertheless, when he sees the way Hud treats his father, contributing to his collapse and ultimate downfall, Lonnie rejects his uncle

Furthermore, Hud I violent and repulsive in his treatment of Alma, the woman that is hired as house cleaner and cook at the farm.

One night, after harassment and pestering the hired help, Hud gets drunk and attacks Alma, trying to rape her.

The escape is narrow.

In fact, it is only the intervention of the nephew that allows the woman to get off the floor and eventually leave the place all together.

Hud has an affair with a married woman, whose husband arrives just as the lover was leaving the house.

It is very early in the morning and the husband is sure there is something wrong with strangers leaving at that time

Bud blames this event on…Lonnie

Somehow, the charm of Paul Newman transfers to his character in the film, but I think this helps make the movie more intriguing an interesting, with a character that is not all despicable.

There are glorious performances from all those involved in this memorable motion picture, winner of three Oscars.