My Own Private Idaho (1991)

Two best friends living on the streets of Portland as hustlers embark on a journey of self discovery and find their relationship stumbling along the way.

Director:

Gus Van Sant

Writer:

Gus Van Sant (screenplay)

Stars:

River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, James Russo

9 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Mike Waters lives on the street and befriends the somewhat older and streetwise Scott Favor who shows him what is necessary to survive. Waters suffers from narcolepsy and can fall asleep at any moment and in almost any circumstance. Favor comes from a rich family and is rebelling against his own background. They travel together extensively - Waters is driven by the need to find his biological mother - and spend time in Italy. Later in life however, Favor has joined mainstream society and has little time for his old friend.

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Plot Keywords:

homoerotic friendship | male hustler | narcolepsy | street life | portland oregon | 

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Taglines:

whatever it takes to have a nice day

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sensuality, language and drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian German

Release Date:

20 July 1991 (Japan)

Also Known As:

A Caminho de Idaho

Filming Locations:

Oregon, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$68,542, 6 October 1991

Gross USA:

$6,401,336

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Alphacine)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

On the rooftop, when Mike is waking up, and Bob is returning to the city with Budd, Matt Dillon's voice can be heard on a television in the distance. The scene which can be heard, is from Drugstore Cowboy (1989), an earlier film by Gus Van Sant.

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Goofs

Mike's brother Richard speaks with a New York accent even though he's from Idaho.

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Quotes

Scott Favor: Why, you wouldn't even look at a clock unless hours were lines of coke, dials looked like the signs of gay bars, or time itself was a fair hustler in black leather.

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Connections

References Chimes at Midnight (1965)

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Soundtracks

When the Saints Go Marchin' In
Music Composed by J.M. Black
Performed by Elliot Sweetland, Richard Letcher and Vernon Dunn

User Reviews

The road of life

My opinion is that 'My own private Idaho' is a masterpiece! Gus van Sant did a great job and created a very artistic movie with many truths about life.Both River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves give wonderful performances.I read some other comments too on this board and I have to say that the story, is not only about 2 male prostitutes that sell their bodies for the money.Try to catch that underlying message that each viewer interprets it in his own way.In the way HE feels it.The movie gets really sad at the end but it makes you realize a lot of things.In this road of life that "...goes around the world..." you get hurt, betrayed, you believe, you hope, you pay, you earn, you lose, you win...that road never ends.