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
  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 me so long to finally see it, but I'm glad I finally did. Allegedly this is supposed to be loosely based on the Shakespeare works Henry IV Parts i and II and Henry V, but I didn't really see that. Of course, it would probably help if I was actually familiar with those works, but still. Okay, so sometimes the dialogue does come off as somewhat Shakespearean because of the delivery, but I really don't see the whole thing of translating historical dramas into a dream-like road movie about two hustlers. We mostly follow Mike Waters, a sensitive young street hustler with narcolepsy. He works the streets of Portland and Seattle, but longs to find his mother who abandoned him at a young age. His search leads him to all kinds of places, namely Idaho (where he's originally from), but overseas as well. Joining him on his quest for "home" is Scott Favor the unrequited love interest. Scott, like Mike, is a hustler, but he's from a more well-to-do background. In fact, he's the wayward son of Portland's mayor. He says he'll eventually straighten up and do as his father wishes, but for the time being, he's happy being on the mean streets with all kinds of colorful characters. The film was a rather big deal when it came out, and I can see why. It sheds light on an interesting subculture, it's got some mostly strong direction, great visuals, it continued Van Sant's wave of success, and featured some terrific performances from River Phoenix as Mike and, yes, shockingly enough, Keanu Reeves as Scott. I don't know what happened to him that caused him to be how he is now, but yeah, back in the day, he was actually a credible and legitimately good performer. Other performers are good too, but these guys are the real highlight. Even though this is a good movie, and I can see why it has a very positive reputation, it's not perfect. It's merely good, instead of great, hasn't really aged that well, doesn't seem that fresh anymore, and has a tendency to meander a little too much a little too often. It does provide a nice and sensible look at Gen X hustlers, but even then it comes off as a tad pretentious here and there. Despite my gripes, I do like this, I'm glad I finally saw it, and think you should check it out if you enjoy the offbeat, or want to really get into the career of Van Sant.

• 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
  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 adventure.

• 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
  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 to get going and there are long pauses where it seems like nothing's happening, but as an art film (which is what I consider it to be), it works very well. Both River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves give great performances amidst the backdrop of street hustling, the open road, Italy and the Idaho countryside. It's probably not a film for everybody, but the general consensus is that it's very well-received by most people, so it may be a bit broader than I would expect it to be. Although I have to say, I think a lot of that has to do with the sex appeal of its two young actors. Perhaps that's just me, but I'm sure it has something to do with it. It's a good film, but not one I'd watch over and over again.

• 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
  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 maker. What is surprising this time is that Van Sant, who is better known from his less is more style, is throwing so much ideas into a one film that the whole film feels overflowing with ideas, characters and experiments with camera. What is left is a film that feels calculated and uneven in worst possible way. There is no emotional depth of anykind and many of the possible plot threads are thrown overboard for the sake of the weirdness and originality. At his best Gus Van Sant is director who can lure us in his films with his hypnotic way of storytelling. At his worst he can be frustrating as hell. My Own Private Idaho is definetly one of his weakest films and is in my opinion even overrated in his filmography. Only interesting thing here is performance of River Phoenix who was one of greatest acting voices of his time. Otherwise i just cannot see anything worth praising for in this film.

• Graham J

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

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Rodney Harvey, James Russo, Chiara Caselli, Rodney Harvy, Udo Kier, Flea, Michael Parker, Jessie Thomas DIRECTED BY: Gus Van Sant Two street hustlers from the Northwest, one abandoned as a child, the other rebellious scion of a wealthy and powerful… More
  River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Rodney Harvey, James Russo, Chiara Caselli, Rodney Harvy, Udo Kier, Flea, Michael Parker, Jessie Thomas DIRECTED BY: Gus Van Sant Two street hustlers from the Northwest, one abandoned as a child, the other rebellious scion of a wealthy and powerful family, travel as far as Rome, Italy in search of the former''s missing mother. This movie was very poetic. I was quite surprised by that. Considering the year it came out in, it must have been daring for all these actors to take part in such a dramatic movie that touched on matters that people thought were so obscure at the time. River Phoenix gives another great performance in this movie. He was a favorite of mine growing up (and still is). Shame he wasn't around much longer to make more great films. Keanu was really good in this movie as well. Even though this movie is at times hard to watch, there is also fun moments that make you laugh. It's not all about the "hustle". In the end its about a boy searching for his mother that has abandoned him and in doing so has left him empty. It's very lonely world he lives in. He daydreams about a false childhood and refuses to hear the truth. That's what the movie felt like as well. As we were watching a daydream of Mikes the entire time, which I think was smartly done by Van Sant. Keanu and River both are amazing in this movie and are extremely good together. This movie bleeds with pain, suffering, sadness, hope, fear, and loss. Brilliant and beautifully done. A must see...

• Conner R

  
  It's a movie that is certainly not for everyone, but I feel that it is a complete masterpiece. Sure it's odd at times and extremely different from most mainstream cinema, but that's kind've why I love it so much. The cinematography is so incredibly gripping so that… More
  It's a movie that is certainly not for everyone, but I feel that it is a complete masterpiece. Sure it's odd at times and extremely different from most mainstream cinema, but that's kind've why I love it so much. The cinematography is so incredibly gripping so that even if you don't care for the story, you can bask in it's visual beauty. I feel like it's maybe Gus Van Sant's most personal film, you can sense how much time and energy went into telling this tragic story about the lives of two young men. River Pheonix gives without a doubt his greatest performance on screen. He is completely and utterly memorizing, very few performances have been able to effect me the way his does. Keanu Reeves also gave his greatest performance, however I don't think he was the best choice for the role. However, it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. The concept of family in this is so powerful, I think everyone can take a part of it and relate it to their lives.

• Wahida K

  
  Some people take your heart, others take your shoes, and still others take you home.

• Candy R

  
  Interesting movie about two guys from different backgrounds.

• Elvira B

  
  Gus Van Sant can sometimes get on my nerves, but this movie makes me love him. So far the best one of his film I've seen. I've never actually read the Shakespeare play this was inspired by, but I was able to "feel" the Shakespearian character to it... the… More
  Gus Van Sant can sometimes get on my nerves, but this movie makes me love him. So far the best one of his film I've seen. I've never actually read the Shakespeare play this was inspired by, but I was able to "feel" the Shakespearian character to it... the dialogue is very poetic and beautiful, especially for a movie about hustlers et al. Van Sant makes their world beautiful beyond words; just something simple and beautiful and heartbreaking. The story is really about Mike (River Phoenix) and Scott (Keanu Reeves). They work as male prostitutes in PORTLAND OREGON. They're pretty unhappy but they survive. And they're best friends. Scott is the heir to a very large fortune, while Mike is just poor and forever doomed. Their situations are thus always perpendicular to each other... they meet at this one unfortunate point but follow different directions. It's a heartbreaking fact, given that Mike is in love with Scott... Scott feels differently. In the end, their paths don't change, but the process of realization is quite worth seeing. Like most of Van Sant movies, this one doesn't really have an identifiable "target". I mean, it doesn't really have a "meaning", beyond portraying this doomed friendship in the most lyrical way possible. The two best things about this film are the beautiful cinematography and River Phoenix's performance. I mean, I was literally out of breath for a little while during certain scenes. There is one -now I consider it my favorite ever- in which Mike tells Scott how he feels... and it's so real and tender and at the same time he sounds so wounded and kind of detached... it's incredible how a single person can convey all those feelings in such little words. Keanu Reeves was good as well, a bit stiff from time to time, but certainly River Phoenix justifies this movie's single existence.

• Jennifer X

  
  *gasp* So...Keanu Reeves WASN'T horrible in this?! I'm still reeling from the shock. All sarcasm aside, River Phoenix is a total sweetheart and his awesomeness makes me forget that this wasn't that great of a movie. Plus, he's gorgeous.

• Lafe F

  
  A dreary and lonely movie. River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves are friends and male prostitutes in the Northwest USA. Sad movie, but an interesting journey.

• Tom E

  
  In memory of River Phoenix -- Keanu wasn't bad either

• xGary X

  
  The kind of film that sums up a lot of Gus Van Sant's work; some beautiful imagery, but often painfully pretentious. Taken as a piece of cinematic poetry, it succeeds. Taken as a piece of entertainment, it fails.

• Christopher M

  
  A gritty and realistic (and apparently very accurate) look at the life of the street hustler; backed by an interesting Shakespearean take on the subject, and several wonderful performances.

• Michael G

  
  If you can kill any homophobia you may have, you'll be rewarded with this movie.

• Emily A

  
  Meh. This movie is slow and a lot of times I just couldn't relate to it, but I can't argue with the beginning: River Phoenix waking up in the middle of a road in the middle of nowhere and yelling at a field rabbit that hops away from him.

• John B

  
  Yes, yes, yes. We are all supposed to remember River Phoenix and lament about what a great actors he should be. We really don't have enough material here. River and a block of wood (portrayed by Keanu Reeves) are doing the road movie and the results are uneven.

• Andrew F

  
  I wanted to love it, but I just wasn't into it. River Phoenix is amazing though.

• Mike T

  
  My Own Private Idaho is a film about a damaged man who has no place in the surreal world he inhabits. It's an abstract story about longing for love and a place to call home. One thing that is essential to mention when reviewing this film is River Phoenix's crushing,… More
  My Own Private Idaho is a film about a damaged man who has no place in the surreal world he inhabits. It's an abstract story about longing for love and a place to call home. One thing that is essential to mention when reviewing this film is River Phoenix's crushing, emotionally resonant performance. Although Van Sant's experimentation could be construed as overwhelming, this is a truly original work peppered with haunting and lyrical moments. There are arguably issues resulting from some of the stylistic choices made, but I think this is a wholly original piece whose out-of-the-box qualities work ultimately to its benefit. Moody, visceral and completely unforgettable, this is, in my eyes, a true masterwork.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings