My Own Private Idaho (1991)

Director:

Gus Van Sant

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play)
Gus Van Sant (written by)

Release Date:

29 September 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

This road will never end. It probably goes all around the world.

Plot:

The movie is set in Portland. Many local characters are included as both personalities and actors.

Plot Keywords:

Oregon | Portland Oregon | Hustler | Friendship | Idaho

Awards:

8 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

River Phoenix	...	Mike Waters
Keanu Reeves	...	Scott Favor
James Russo	...	Richard Waters
William Richert	...	Bob Pigeon
Rodney Harvey	...	Gary
Chiara Caselli	...	Carmella
Michael Parker	...	Digger
Jessie Thomas	...	Denise
Flea	...	Budd
Grace Zabriskie	...	Alena
Tom Troupe	...	Jack Favor
Udo Kier	...	Hans
Sally Curtice	...	Jane Lightwork
Robert Lee Pitchlynn	...	Walt
Mickey Cottrell	...	Daddy Carroll

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sensuality, language and drug use.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color (Alphacine)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo | Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:15 (DVD rating) | Netherlands:6 (DVD rating) | Singapore:(Banned) | New Zealand:M | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:11 | UK:18 | USA:R | Canada:R | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Maupin, Oregon, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

For its initial American video release, this gay themed movie was packaged as a straight film, with both of its stars Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix in clinches with women on the video jacket.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: When Mike is in Idaho he has a clear view of Mt. Hood. Not only is the mountain too far away to see (over 200 miles), there is another mountain range lying between Idaho and Mt. Hood, blocking the view.

Quotes:

Scott Favor: It's when you start doing things for free, that you start to grow wings. Isn't that right, Mike.
Mike Waters: What?
Scott Favor: Wings, Michael. You grow wings, and become a fairy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996)

Soundtrack:

Getting Into the Outside

"Wherever, whatever, have a nice day, River Phoenix"

I watched this film on TV 5 years ago, when I was only eleven years old, and I remember that I was especially impressed by River Phoenix's magnificent performance. I had already watched "Stand By Me" (one of my favorites), and it was very interesting watching him older in such a daring film. I think he was the best actor of his generation but, unfortunately, he died too young.

"My Own Private Idaho" is a poetic and bittersweet road movie, one of Gus Van Sant's best (it's hard to believe that this film is directed by the same man who made the dreadful remake of "Psycho"). Here in Brazil it received a bad title, "Garotos de Programa" (something like "Rent Boys"). Yes, the main characters are rent boys, but this is not what defines them. "My Own Private Idaho" (what a beautiful title!) mostly deals with loneliness, virile sexuality and friendship, and paternity. It's much more than "a film about rent boys". Besides, watching it the so-called "modern boys" would realize that Keanu Reeves isn't Neo from "The Matrix", but a versatile actor; and, perhaps, they'd discover that boyish friendship may be truly sincere.