Drugstore Cowboy (1989)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Chris W

  
  Based on a novel, this is a story, set in the Pacific Northwest in the early 1970s about a group of drug addicts who rob pharmacies in order to get their fix and continue to stay high. They consist of husband and wife team Bob and Dianne Hughes (Matt Dillon and Kelly Lynch) and the… More
  Based on a novel, this is a story, set in the Pacific Northwest in the early 1970s about a group of drug addicts who rob pharmacies in order to get their fix and continue to stay high. They consist of husband and wife team Bob and Dianne Hughes (Matt Dillon and Kelly Lynch) and the younger couple Rick and Nadine (James LeGros and a young Heather Graham).. Bob is a bit paranoid and superstitious, Dianne is rather sexually frustrated, Rick is a bit of a dolt, and Nadine is a young teenage runaway. They have their problems, but are nonetheless an offbeat family who make things work, despite their dangerous lifestyle. Given the nature of how they live and operate, the crew has been surprisingly lucky. WHen their lucj begins to change however, Bob realizes that, no matter how hard it might be, a change needs to be made. This was Gus Van Sant's sophmore effort, but it became his breakout work that put him on the map. This is a very strong effort, and actually enjoyable despite the grim and gritty subject matter. What makes it all work is that it finds htat middle ground where it manages ot not sugarcoat things, but also not get too extreme or come off as preachy or pretentious along the way. It is compentantly and artistically made, and I can see why Van Sant managed to go somewhere after this instead of becoming a one trick indie darling. The music, cinematography, and editing are all quite nice, and the film does a great job of depicting the seedier side of the early 70s drug culture without glamorizing things even though they're done with strong helpings of cinematiccraft and style. Where the film truly shines though is with the casting and the performances. Matt Dillon had done work before this, his turn as Bob is pure excellence, and really made him a rising star. Kelly Lynch gives a finely observed turn as Dianne, and her performances really adds to the pain that is felt when it becomes clear that she will probably never change. LeGros is pretty good as RIck, but he gets a little too overshadowed by the others. Graham is quite strong as the newbie of the group, and it's wonderful seeing her in the infancy of her career. Other notable work is put in by James Remar as a cop bound and determined to catch the group and put them away for good and William S. Burroughs as a defrocked priest who shows up for just a few brief, but important scenes fleshing out the world of drugs and the toll they can take. All in all, this was quite an impressive film. I think it is brilliant, but can't, for some reason, bring myself to give it the full 5. It gets at least an A- though, it that puts things in perspective. I guess maybe I'm a little nitpicky because i was able to guess (correctly) the outcome of some events. Maybe I shouldn't hold that against the film though. After all, trying to be completely original and 100% unpredictable is something that died out long ago. Still though, you should definitely give this one a go.

• Graham J

  
  Matt Dillon's finest hour and the film that put Van Sant on the map, this is a shockingly real depiction of drug addiction.

• Conner R

  
  One of my favorite movies from Gus Van Sant. This is a lot different from his other work, yet still holds a lot of the same style. The 70s backdrop worked perfect for an addiction narrative. I absolutely loved all of the performances, they were dead on while also being hilarious.… More
  One of my favorite movies from Gus Van Sant. This is a lot different from his other work, yet still holds a lot of the same style. The 70s backdrop worked perfect for an addiction narrative. I absolutely loved all of the performances, they were dead on while also being hilarious. It's a very heart-felt and powerful story that truly means something, it isn't just another story about drugs.

• Eric S

  
  Matt Dillon delivers a brilliant performance as the leader of a small group that robs drugstores for the drugs they live for. Bob's(Dillon) superstitious antics are quite effective, and really capture the feel of a paranoid, outlaw drug user. However, they are too silly to be… More
  Matt Dillon delivers a brilliant performance as the leader of a small group that robs drugstores for the drugs they live for. Bob's(Dillon) superstitious antics are quite effective, and really capture the feel of a paranoid, outlaw drug user. However, they are too silly to be taken seriously. A drama with the appropriate humor, perfect cinematography, and a memorable cameo by writer William S. Burroughs who portrays a junkie man of the cloth. Kelly Lynch plays Bob's unsatisfied wife and close partner in crime. Heather Graham and James LeGros play a young couple who are tagging along to help and learn how to steal, but their dubious beliefs in Bob's superstitions are tested, and shows that the drug addled Bob may not be far from the truths he clings to in his desolate journey as an addict of the early 1970s.

• Lady D

  
  A film which although lacks any major excitement is still a fairly interesting watch. You see the film through a viewer?s eyes and perhaps create your opinions on this as opposed to making the viewer see it through an Addict?s eyes, which many later films following this theme have… More
  A film which although lacks any major excitement is still a fairly interesting watch. You see the film through a viewer?s eyes and perhaps create your opinions on this as opposed to making the viewer see it through an Addict?s eyes, which many later films following this theme have managed to do. It?s a very watchable movie, just feel it lacked a little something, worth seeing if it appears on tv and enjoyable performances from Matt Dillon and Kelly Lynch.

• Thomas J

  
  I have great respect for Matt Dillon as an Actor and hope he one day gets the recognition he deserves.

• jay n

  
  Grim, stream of conciousness drama with fine performance by Matt Dillon, heavy going.

• Michael G

  
  Such a well done and well-acted movie. Kelly Lynch is great here.

• Mike T

  
  One of Gus Van Sant's most impressive works, Drugstore Cowboy is a film that burns with energy and poetic subtext, permanently imprinting its dark story into the audience's minds. The performances are as energetic and fascinating as the direction, and it's all held up… More
  One of Gus Van Sant's most impressive works, Drugstore Cowboy is a film that burns with energy and poetic subtext, permanently imprinting its dark story into the audience's minds. The performances are as energetic and fascinating as the direction, and it's all held up by a beautifully written screenplay. A masterpiece, and instantly one of my favorite films.

• Magnus X

  
  "Lord, it's my dope fiend thief of a son and his crazy little nymphomaniac wife." An old favorite with Matt Dillon, Kelly Lynch, James LeGros and Heather Graham in her debut role. A great drama with a fantastic Matt Dillon.

• Adam M

  
  Drama with Matt Dillon as a druggie who leads a small crew as they go around robbing drugstores, selling and taking what they steal and moving from place to place as the police stay hot on their heels.Dillon gives a great performance as the young man who slowly realises the road… More
  Drama with Matt Dillon as a druggie who leads a small crew as they go around robbing drugstores, selling and taking what they steal and moving from place to place as the police stay hot on their heels.Dillon gives a great performance as the young man who slowly realises the road he's going down and eventually tries to change it but not before lots of deals,moves and a tragic accident.Decent performnces also from Kelly Lynch, James LeGros and the lovely Heather Graham.This has some nice surreal imagery at times as we see Dillons character getting wasted and despite occasional bursts of dodgy music, this is a well written, well acted, realistic and occasionally witty drama.

• MJS M

  
  I've recently been quite interested in Gus Van Sant's experimental arthouse work, but recently realized that I wasn't overly familiar with the early films that made him famous. As such I decided to finally see this stunning sophomore effort that put Van Sant on the map.… More
  I've recently been quite interested in Gus Van Sant's experimental arthouse work, but recently realized that I wasn't overly familiar with the early films that made him famous. As such I decided to finally see this stunning sophomore effort that put Van Sant on the map. This is a no holds barred look at drug addiction, made during a time of very cheesy anti-drug messages. This examines the negative consequences of drugs far far better than every "just say no" ad combined. A career making performance by Matt Dillon combined with an honest script by Van Sant. A keystone work of the American Independent scene of the early 90s.

• Eduardo C

  
  God I really hate not being able to see every single (worthwhile) film the exact moment it comes out. Yes, most great films age well but when one is particularly influential it becomes impossible to separate it from what it has influenced, a problem I had with Drugstore Cowboy. This… More
  God I really hate not being able to see every single (worthwhile) film the exact moment it comes out. Yes, most great films age well but when one is particularly influential it becomes impossible to separate it from what it has influenced, a problem I had with Drugstore Cowboy. This must have been a truly original, at times shocking criminal road movie when it came out: an unsentimental look at drug culture through the eyes of an amoral group of four who ride highs from drugstore to drugstore. The lack of ambition, common morality, the aimless drifting and the refusal to condemn (and certainly to glorify) drug usage must have been a revelation. Today though, much of its power is lost. The film's influences can be felt in anything from "Requiem for a Dream" to "Jesus' Son" and any number of drug films, which has in turn diluted the power of this one to those who, like me, had never experienced it before. What did I get out of it, then? Plenty. Matt Dillon is very, very good in his debut performance. The direction by Gus Van Sant is, (duh) splendid and the film is, escentially, an almost voyeuristic look at the lives of these four people. The last 40 minutes of the film are highlighted by an extended appearance by William S. Burroughs himself as an aged junkie who is absolutely terrifying. He looks, sounds and feels like death incarnate, someone who missed the train to the afterlife and is just waiting for it to circle back. The film, again, is very very good. Had I gone in clean, seen it the very day it was released, I no doubt would have absolutely loved it.

• Wu C

  
  Proly Van Sant's best.

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