My Own Private Idaho

R

Now Playing

1 hr. 42 min.

Drama

LGBTQ+

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for My Own Private Idaho: Trailer 1

List

80%

60 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Shioka O

Based on Shakespearean. I could see that! Theatrical.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/24

Full Review

Nol P

I had this saved to watch for awhile and I tried to watch last night. The start was so darn weird so I had to give up after about 20 mins only as I did not have time to waste. Nothing more said, nothing less said on this "except" I just am not a fan at all of weird sexual situation starts to a movie! I saved myself some 80 mins more in time not proceeding!

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/24

Full Review

XINYU C

My favorite show. The idea of status and love is fully disposited.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/05/23

Full Review

Red T

It's Good and definitely a classic of its director and actors catalogues but its a bit all over the place at times. The acting is good across the board with River Phoenix being the standout with a really good performance and surprisingly Keanu Reeves is solid in this. The only thing that holds this back is the acting can be bizarre at times especially any scenes involving Bob which are so out there. The cinematography is solid also with great camerawork and memorable on location settings. The catch is that there are some bizarre scenes that feel out of place and distract from the performances. The music is really good also. The weakest point is the editing which isn't bad but the abrupt cuts when Mike experiences narcolepsy are very abrupt, than the bizarre scenes including most with Bob, and the artsy sex scenes and you get something that can be very distracting. However when the film just settles down and focuses on the character dramas/interactions and allows the actors too shine its really good and has a lot of underlying commentary about friendship and coming of age. But it never lets it truly shine because of the reasons listed before. It's a well paced film though especially because its not long and the arcs especially at the end is good. This film definitely is better in the second half and has more really strong moments. It's a blend of Midnight Cowboy with All That Jazz surrealness without the music aspect. Anyone who is a fan of the actors, director, or more abstract type of films will like this.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/01/23

Full Review

Monica

Definitely one of my favorite movies of all time. The plot is amazing and so emotional which made it very entertaining. The ending was definitely a sad one but I think it just added onto everything and made it better. I also love love love the actors in this movie. If I could rate this higher I would.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/23

Full Review

Holly

U can't look away from rivers acting .. beautiful .. and keanus face .. beautiful!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/23

Full Review

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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

2:39

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

A simultaneously heartbreaking and exhilarating road movie.

Jun 2, 2014

Full Review

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

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

Jun 2, 2014

Full Review

Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

Although River Phoenix has distinguished himself as an actor ever since his second film, Stand By Me, nothing he has ever done before prepares you for his performance in Private Idaho as the motherless, homeless, loveless piece of human driftwood.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 2, 2014

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

This is a fabulous disaster. [Full review in Spanish]

Jan 20, 2023

Full Review

Michael Bronski

Gay Community News (Boston)

Perhaps it is a radical break from the elusive entity we have come to label a "gay sensibility" or maybe it is an attempt to redefine it.

Aug 26, 2022

Full Review

Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

My Own Private Idaho may be an operatic arraignment of the class divide that continues to bring shame on America, Van Sant's film gleams brightest when Phoenix, with his wobbly, puppy-dog charisma appears on screen.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 20, 2020

Full Review

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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
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
Sound Mix: Ultra-Stereo, Surround, Stereo

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