My Own Private Idaho

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

  • 86% of critics liked it
    (36 reviews)

  • 78% of users liked it
    (37,136 ratings)

Gus Van Sant's dreamtime riff on Shakespeare's "Henry IV, Parts I and II" features River Phoenix as Mike Waters, a narcoleptic male hustler who is first seen drifting on a stretch of highway in Idaho. Mike shifts from Seattle to Portland, where he has taken up with Scott Favor… More

Play Trailer

R,
Directed By
Written By
Gus Van Sant
Genres
Art House & International, Drama
In Theaters
Oct 18, 1991 Wide
Fine Line Features

Critic Reviews

  • Variety Staff, Variety

    One of those ambitious, over-reaching disappointments that is more interesting than some more conservative successes.

  • Derek Adams, Time Out

    The film's uniqueness lies in its remarkable emotional open-heartedness.

  • Vincent Canby, New York Times

    The performances, especially by the two young stars, are as surprising as they are sure.

  • Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

    An essential testament to the beauty and chops of the late River Phoenix...

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    The achievement of this film is that is wants to evoke that state of drifting need, and it does.

Read all 15 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Chris W


    Once in a while, I do enjoy Gus Van Sant, who, for me, is a lot like Steven Soderbergh: really versatile, talented, and definitely important. This movie has been on my list of films to see since I first wrote it over five years ago. Yes, I'm serious. I'm not sure why it took… More

  • paul o


    A strong beginning that becomes a bit cryptic towards the end, My Own Private Idaho is a respectable piece of film and is pure Van Sant. The poetic dialogue in some scenes mixed in with River Phoenix's narcolepsy brings a story that develops unusual characters and a excellent… More

  • Tim S


    Gus Van Sant's My Own Private Idaho is less a film about the physical and more about the spiritual. Loosely based on Shakespeare, it's a beautifully-shot independent film with something to say. I can't really admit that I liked the film all that much. It takes a while… More

  • Emil K


    A pretentious and frustrating little indie from Gus Van Sant who is definetly one of the greatest filmmaker's of our times but just cannot connect with his own material this time. My Own Private Idaho is kinda narrative free experiment that comes as a no surprise from it's… More

  • Graham J


    Beautifully shot and with great performances, this uneasy story pulls you in. A surprising role by Udo Kier is an extra bonus.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Currently unavailable on Flixster

Also available on

Other Retailers

Not Available

Subscription Services

Not Available
Not Available
Not Available

Cast

See more (50)

Trailers & Clips