My Own Private Idaho (1991)

Wherever, whatever, have a nice day.

In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry IV," Mike Waters is a hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor is the rebellious son of a mayor. Together, the two travel from Portland, Oregon to Idaho and finally to the coast of Italy in a quest to find Mike's estranged mother. Along the way they turn tricks for money and drugs, eventually attracting the attention of a wealthy benefactor and sexual deviant.

Drama individual friendship treasure robbery sibling relationship rome, italy parent child relationship generations conflict portland, oregon hustler cocaine idaho

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Character

Prestige, contemplative, open-ended and character-led.

unpretentiousprestige
contemplativerelentless
resolvedopen-ended
character-ledplot-driven
contemporarynostalgic

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“Is this Gus Van Sant's best work?”
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“Is River Phoenix the best thing in My Own Private Idaho?”
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“Is the slow pace a feature rather than a flaw?”
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WilsonWatcheson TMDB · Mar 20218/10
Shakespeare meets street hustlers in a plot loosely inspired by Shakespeare's Henry IV part 1, Henry IV part 2 & Henry V. The film is both humorous and profound with River Phoenix's (Mike) shining & Keanu Reeves (Scott) also starring alongside some very memorable characters (Hans, Bob). I think it's probably of the best LGBT Films/ depictions of LGBT characters in film, & deservedly considered a cult classic. The offbeat film's authentic style coupled with its compelling, drifting story, make My own Private Idaho a must watch nearly 30 years after release.
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