My Own Private Idaho

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2:39

My Own Private Idaho

R

1991

1h 42m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

63 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Mike Waters (River Phoenix) is a gay hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor (Keanu Reeves) 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.

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Critics Consensus

A tantalizing glimpse of a talented director and his stars all at the top of their respective games, Gus Van Sant's loose reworking of Henry IV is smart, sad and audacious.

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Lynden Barber

Sydney Morning Herald

Dec 19

A self-indulgent mess redeemed by moments of brilliance.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

06/02/2014

A simultaneously heartbreaking and exhilarating road movie.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

06/02/2014

Holding all these elements together is Van Sant's sensibility, such an elusive thing it instinctively squirms away from any attempt to pigeonhole it.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Mar 17

1/4

My Own Private Idaho segues into a momentum-free (and periodically unwatchable) midsection overflowing with misguided, aggressively avant-garde attributes...

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 12

3/4

Van Sant made what in essence is a homosexual road movie that espouses the family values of a Disney feature and the pop art sensibilities of a Warhol piece -- with a liberal dose of Shakespeare thrown in for good measure.

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Morgan Shaunette

Willamette Week

05/28/2025

Reeves uses a confident, playful swagger to cover his insecurity and internalized self-loathing, but it’s Phoenix who shines brightest as our soft-spoken, vulnerable hero.

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Leonie N

@Briseas Aug 19

I didn't see this film until 2026 and it is as relevant today as when it was made. What a masterpiece. The acting was superb. The filming masterful. The story poignant. The ending left me so sad. Parents really need to take responsibility for the children they bring into this world.

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Leprechaun K

@LeprechaunKing Aug 9

Excellent performances by Phoenix and Reeves. An arthouse classic. It isn't particularly entertaining. Ending is ambiguous yet powerful. Overall, it is just okay. Somewhat overrated though.

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Bill E

@Billwill Aug 5

I do not like Shakespeare.

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Tim D

@RT70717942 Jul 21

Poetic ravages of the soul, and an imperfect, adulterated blues distortion. . . (And if you were irritated by that word salad, guess what? This ain't exactly Thursday night's fish sticks and mac'n'cheese, here, for sure, but it's my favorite film.)

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Amy M

@RT76738538 Mar 17

I did not watch this film when it came out in 1991. I watched it last night and I found it very boring. I also really struggled with the acting as it was like Acting Class 101. I love Indie & Artistic films but this one did not do it for me.

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Tom F

@RT55173143 Feb 14

I never saw this until 2026, an interesting artifact of its time.

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Gus Van Sant

Director

River Phoenix

Mike Waters

Keanu Reeves

Scott Favor

James Russo

Richard Waters

William Richert

Bob Pigeon

Rodney Harvey

Gary

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My Own Private Idaho: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Mike Waters (River Phoenix) is a gay hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor (Keanu Reeves) 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.

Director: Gus Van Sant
Producer: Laurie Parker
Screenwriter: William Shakespeare, Gus Van Sant
Distributor: Fine Line Features
Production Co: New Line Cinema
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 18, 1991, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 5, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.4M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Ultra-Stereo, Surround, Stereo

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