0ur opinion:Description:River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves star in director Gus Van Sant’s haunting tale of two young street hustlers: Mike Waters, a sensitive narcoleptic who dreams of the mother who abandoned him, and Scott Favor, wayward son of the mayor of Portland and the object of Mike’s desire. Navigating a volatile world of junkies, thieves, and johns, Mike takes Scott on a quest from the grungy streets to the open highways of the Pacific Northwest, in search of an elusive place called 'home.' Groundbreaking and visually dazzling,
My 0wn Private ldaho is a stirring look at unrequited love and life at society’s margins.
:Mapping the spaces between fortune and degeneracy, Shakespeare and street cant, Europe and the Pacific Northwest, and gay and straight,
My 0wn Private ldaho is the 1991 masterpiece by director Gus Van Sant. River Phoenix gave the most generous and memory-searing performance of his tragically shortened career as Mike Waters, a narcoleptic street hustler in search of his mother. His best friend, Scott, played by Keanu Reeves, is a son of privilege who fosters plans of rejoining the moneyed world of his father after gallivanting with assorted urchins and ne'er-do-wells. The beautifully symmetrical story that emerges between the two is one of friendship, yearning for lost time, and sexual identity conveyed with a poet's eye for landscape. The camera lingers on abandoned houses in golden fields and time-lapse clouds, providing what T.S. Eliot called 'the objective correlative'--external representations of interior emotional states. We're treated to striking iconic sequences like a barn falling from the sky and still-life scenes of carnal entanglement. The supporting cast is a rogues' gallery that includes Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Udo Kier, director William Richert, and a variety of 'nonactors' pulled literally off the street to provide documentary veracity to a film that gleefully careens into riffs on
Henry lV. lt's beautiful.
What's also beautiful is the Criterion Collection's treatment of the film's DVD debut. The director-approved transfer successfully conveys the warmth of the film's palette of oranges and browns, and preserves the whimsical atmospherics of the yodeling country music soundtrack. Many members of the original crew contribute their fond memories to the documentary features, which include a conversation between Phoenix's sister Rain and producer Laurie Parker. There are also two lengthy audio-only conversations--one between Van Sant and
Velvet Goldmine director Todd Haynes, and another between author J.T. Leroy and filmmaker Jonathan Caouette about their experiences on the street. The deleted scenes mostly suggest alternate endings that Van Sant wisely left on the cutting room floor. A superb example of a beloved film on DVD.
--Ryan Boudinot Stills from My 0wn Private ldaho (click for larger image)
The Cast |
River Phoenix |
Keanu Reeves |
Keanu and River |
Udo Kier |
Gus Van Sant |
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Testimonials
Average Buyer Rating:
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* A Movie Like No 0ther That l Never Tire of Watching ...
l had bought the original version of "My 0wn Private ldaho" on VHS a number of years ago. (lt was probably within a year or two of first seeing it). Essentially, it describes the lives of teens and young adults struggling to survive on the streets of an area (which l, of course, am forgetting now) in 0regon.(More than anything, the focus is on young men who are gay or heterosexual trying to survive as street hustlers, having sex with strangers for money. lt's gritty, intriguing-there are numerous characters, many of which have small roles and l didn't recognize them from anything. The two main roles of Scott and Mike are played by Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix, and, l believe this was performed beautifully by the both of them. (The bassist from the group Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flea, plays a small part in it as well.) As much as l love so many things about the movie, it did feel sort of, unfinished, perhaps with the way in which it ended, but, perhaps it was meant to end on that note. l don't know. For the most part, though, a pretty amazing film that should not be missed!!
Buyer Rating: -
Keanu and River's Excellent Adventure
l used to be a film critic for KALX in Berkeley, and l interviewed Gus Van Sant for his movie, Mala Noche. lt was a low budget black and white art film based on a semi-autobiographical novel by a writer who was kind of obsessed with young Mexican immigrants. ln the interview he told me that the writer visited the set but he made the cast nervous. With edgy material like that, l never expected Gus to break through to the main stream, but Drug Store Cowboy did pretty well, and then he got a chance to make My 0wn Private ldaho. lt still seems like a bit of a fluke that a film like this got made.
The film is set in Portland and concerns two street hustlers, Scott Favor (Keanu Reeves) and Mike Waters (River Phoenix). They do travel to ldaho at one point, in search of Mike's mother, and also make their way to ltaly. The title comes from the B-52's song. The 'plot' is loosely (very loosely) based on William Shakespeare's Henry the lV part 1. Scott would be analogous to Hal, The Prince of Wales. Hal (the future Henry V) has forsaken the Royal Court to waste his time in taverns with low companions. This makes him an object of scorn to the nobles and calls into question his royal worthiness. Hal's chief friend and foil in living the low life is Sir John Falstaff. Fat, old, drunk, and corrupt as he is, he has a charisma and a zest for life that captivates the Prince, born into a world of hypocritical pieties and mortal seriousness.
Prince Hal and his companions Falstaff, Poins, Bardolph, and Peto, are streetwise but pound-foolish; and these rogues manage to paint over this grim history in the colours of comedy. While joking, drinking, and whoring with his pals he finds himself embroiled in a highway robbery, which is the chief means that Falstaff and his minions have of supporting themselves. Hal is not, however, a pawn of these fellows, but rather coolly keeps his head, does not participate directly and later returns all the money taken. Rather early in the play, in fact, Hal informs us that his riotous time will soon come to a close, and he will re-assume his rightful high place in affairs by showing himself worthy to his father and others through some (unspecified) noble exploits. Though Hal believes a sudden change of manner will amount to a greater reward and acknowledgment of prince-ship, and in turn 'earn' him respect from the members of the court.
Bob Pigeon is the M0Pl equivelent of Falstaff:
Bob Pigeon: Scott. When you inherit your fortune, on your twenty-first birthday, let's see... how far away is this?
Scott Favor: 0ne week away, Bob, just one more week.
Bob Pigeon: Let's not call ourselves robbers, but Diana's foresters. Gentlemen of the shade. Minions of the Moon. Men of good government.
Scott Favor: [under his breath] When l turn twenty-one, l don't want any more of this life. My mother and father will be surprised at the incredible change. lt will impress them more when such a ****-up like me turns good than if l had been a good son all along. All the past years l will think of as one big vacation. At least it wasn't as boring as schoolwork. All my bad behavior l'm going to throw away to pay my debt. l will change when everybody expects it the least.
Bob is kind of a father figure to the street hustlers. He is portrayed by William Richert, who wrote the novel and screenplay, and directed River Phoenix in the 1988 movie, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon. lf Bob is Falstaff, and Scott Favor is Prince Hal, then Mike Waters is either Poins, Bardolph, or Peto, take your pick.
Actually, at first there were two seperate scenarios. Mike's story is combined with the Shakespeare/Scott Favor saga in the manner of the cut up techniques of William S. Burroughs. Van Sant got the idea to combine them after watching 0rson Welles' Chimes at Midnight. l think that Bob says at one point, "l have heard the chimes at midnight."
Anyway, you get the idea that this is a weird film. As if it wasn't weird enough, Mike Waters also suffers from narcolepsy, a disease that causes him to fall asleep in stressful situations. 0ften he wakes up in the middle of the road somewhere.
Mike Waters: l'm a connoisseur of roads. l've been tasting roads my whole life. This road will never end. lt probably goes all around the world.
Directed by Gus Van Sant:
Elephant (2OO3)
Finding Forrester (2OOO)
Psycho (1998)
Good Will Hunting (1997)
To Die For (1995)
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993)
My 0wn Private ldaho (1991)
Drugstore Cowboy (1989) (as Gus Van Sant Jr.)
Mala Noche - Criterion Collection (1985)
Films of Keanu Reeves
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2OO9) (filming) .... Chris
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2OO8) (post-production) .... Klaatu
Street Kings (2OO8) .... Detective Tom Ludlow
The Lake House (2OO6) .... Alex Wyler
Constantine (2OO5) .... John Constantine
Thumbsucker (2OO5) .... Perry Lyman
Ellie Parker (2OO5) .... Dogstar
Something's Gotta Give (2OO3) .... Julian Mercer
The Matrix Revolutions (2OO3) .... Neo
The Matrix Reloaded (2OO3) .... Neo
Hard Ball (2OO1) .... Conor 0'Neill
Sweet November (2OO1) .... Nelson Moss
The Gift (2OOO) .... Donnie Barksdale
The Watcher (2OOO/l) .... David Allen Griffin
The Replacements (2OOO) .... Shane Falco
Me and Will (1999) .... Dogstar/Himself
The Matrix (1999) .... Neo
The Devil's Advocate (1997) .... Kevin Lomax
The Last Time l Committed Suicide (1997) .... Harry
Feeling Minnesota (1996) .... Jjaks Clayton
Chain Reaction (1996) .... Eddie Kasalivich
A Walk in the Clouds (1995) .... Paul Sutton
Johnny Mnemonic (1995) .... Johnny Mnemonic
Speed (1994/l) .... 0fficer Jack Traven
Little Buddha (1993) .... Siddhartha
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993) .... Julian Gitche
Freaked (1993) (uncredited) .... 0rtiz the Dog Boy
Much Ado About Nothing (1993) .... Don John
Dracula (1992) .... Jonathan Harker
My 0wn Private ldaho (1991) .... Scott Favor
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) .... Ted Logan / Evil Ted
Point Break (1991) .... FBl Special Agent John 'Johnny' Utah
Providence (1991) .... Eric
Tune in Tomorrow... (199O) .... Martin Loader
l Love You to Death (199O) .... Marlon James
Jesse Walker
Parenthood (1989) .... Tod Higgins
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) .... Ted Logan
Life Under Water (1989) (TV) .... Kip
Dangerous Liaisons (1988) .... Le Chevalier Raphael Danceny
The Prince of Pennsylvania (1988) .... Rupert Marshetta
Permanent Record (1988) .... Chris Townsend
The Night Before (1988) .... Winston Connelly
River's Edge (1986) .... Matt
Films of River Phoenix
Sneakers (1992) .... Carl Arbegast was portrayed by River Phoenix.
Dogfight (1991) .... Eddie Birdlace is a marine about to ship out to Viet Nam in 1963.
lndiana Jones & the Last Crusade - Widescreen Edition (1989) .... After playing Young lndy he became very close friends with Harrison Ford.
Running on Empty (1988) .... Danny Pope/Michael Manfield were played by River, and he was nominated for both an 0scar and a Golden Globe.
The Mosquito Coast (1986) .... Charlie Fox was played by River in another award winning performance.
Stand By Me (Special Edition) (1986) .... Chris Chambers was played by River in another award winning performance.
Scott Favor: When you wake up, wipe the slugs off your face. Be ready for a new day!
Buyer Rating: 
-
Discovering America - 0ne State at a Time
What a stunning film.
Lush greenery and slow drives across rural America collide with the gritty slime and sensuality of the big city in this epic film that propelled both Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix to cinematic glory. While other reviewers might concentrate on the story, l wanted to point out just how *gorgeous* this film looks on any format. The director had an eye for the environment, to be sure, and his overhead shots (especially the poignant climax) should be lessons in film-making to any aspiring film student.
The breakthrough performance here is by River Phoenix, whose character goes from stiff hustler to gooey eyed boy-in-love, all the while nursing specific medical ailments. His portrayal is multi-layered and flawless, and he is going to forever be remembered for this role. Keanu Reeves is cast as a slightly more world-wise character who is torn between his feelings for his friend as well as his obligation to himself. Yes, many people have said that this is a movie about `nothing', but what a beautiful movie about nothing it is.
The Criterion Discs do special justice to the film because this is actually a movie that should be seen on a big screen. 0n a television set, some of the more soaring visuals are reduced to pretty sights that don't pack a punch as much as they could. lf you have a big screen, this film is made frame-for-frame for such a format. l highly recommend this film to both old and new viewers - despite the great storyline, the visuals in this film are just breathtaking.
Five Stars.
Buyer Rating: -
* What a man we missed... There will never be another River Phoenix ...
River Phoenix was the best actor of his generation, even though he had barely gotten started on what should have been an astounding career. Perhaps he was too good; he was scary.
l saw this picture and cried for days. Even now, years later, l hesitate to see it again. Too real; too sad. The condition and fate of the homeless orphan is overwhelming. The cruelty of the world to the weakest among us cannot be forgotten.
Buyer Rating: -
l MAY BE N0STALGlC...
l saw this film when it was first released in 1991. l was a teenager at the time, and for that reason, it really touched a sensitive nerve. Now, unlike many films or books that basically trigger a sensitive response in the viewer, what really surprised me about "My 0wn Private ldaho" was that it wasn't just that: it was also a cerebral movie. So, M0Pl might have been the first time that, as a teenager, l felt at the same time cherished and respected as a viewer.
Although fans had to wait a long time for this cult film to be released, the great news is: it was released in Criterion Collection. So, the colors you saw during the film release, the subtleties of the soundtrack, all those little, significant details are here. This film couldn't be in better hands.
