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Title: My Own Private Idaho (1991)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| River Phoenix | ... | Mike Waters | |
| Keanu Reeves | ... | Scott Favor | |
| James Russo | ... | Richard Waters | |
| William Richert | ... | Bob Pigeon | |
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Rodney Harvey | ... | Gary |
| Chiara Caselli | ... | Carmella | |
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Michael Parker | ... | Digger |
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Jessie Thomas | ... | Denise |
| Flea | ... | Budd | |
| Grace Zabriskie | ... | Alena | |
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Tom Troupe | ... | Jack Favor |
| Udo Kier | ... | Hans | |
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Sally Curtice | ... | Jane Lightwork |
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Robert Lee Pitchlynn | ... | Walt |
| Mickey Cottrell | ... | Daddy Carroll | |
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. Written by garykmcd
This is the movie that I sincerely hope River Phoenix will long be remembered for. His performance as the narcoleptic and confused street-hustler Mike is so perfect and touching and realistic that it makes me cry every time. Gus Van Sant's films often have a strange aura about them (see Drugstore Cowboy, To Die For) and never has it been more evident than in this oddly affecting road movie/drama. The camera shots of long horizon-spanning roads and skylines, fast-motion clouds, surreal and symbolic shots of houses and rushing rivers provide the film with a strange almost other-worldly charm. Interspersed with the gritty realism of life on the streets of Portland Oregon in the early 90's, and (stranger still) Shakespeare. Some of the plot (Bob and Scott mainly) is based on the Shakespeare play Henry IV (with Keanu Reeves playing the Prince Hal character of Scott, and William Richert playing the Falstaff-like role of "King-Of-The-Streets" Bob.) It's a fascinating, touching and very successful blend of styles overall. The big themes (the search for love and belonging) are conveyed in a very interesting and genuinely moving manner. I particularly enjoyed the symbolism and pathos the film flittingly suggests. The performances are uniformly excellent, and this movie remains one of my all-time favourites. One of the greatest (and most unique) indie movies of the 1990's.