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My Own Private Idaho
My Own Private Idaho
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My Own Private Idaho

My Own Private Idaho

1991
Romance
Drama
1h 44m
Surreal character study focusing on the friendship between two male hustlers, Mike and Scott, in Portland, Oregon. They live on the streets, do drugs, and sell themselves to men and women. Mike (River Phoenix) is quiet, gay and suffers from narcolepsy. Abandoned as a child, he is obsessed with finding his long-lost mother. Scott (Keanu Reeves) is the rebellious son of a high-ranking family, who lives this life mostly to embarrass his father... (imdb)

Directed by:

Gus Van Sant Gus Van Sant

Written by:

Gus Van Sant Gus Van Sant William Shakespeare William Shakespeare
+1 more

Starring:

Udo Kier Udo Kier Jim Caviezel Jim Caviezel Keanu Reeves Keanu Reeves Grace Zabriskie Grace Zabriskie Flea Flea James Russo James Russo River Phoenix River Phoenix William Richert Rodney Harvey Chiara Caselli Chiara Caselli Michael Parker Jessie Thomas
More

Genres:

Romance, Drama

Country:

USA

Languages:

English, Italian, German
imdb More information at IMDb
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My Own Private Idaho

1991
Romance
Drama
1h 44m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 57.27% from 1829 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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bakcheiabakcheia
Rated 19 Apr 2014
97
95th
This is the most effective "road movie" I have ever seen. It juggles this weirdly romantic, Shakespearean dreamscape very well, all while strongly embedded in Phoenix's potent and sincere performance (and wonderful hair). This film is a very dark coming-of-age tale, but there's always a glimmer of hope present in it. I really loved this and find it to be very contemporary even now, and it is probably one of my favorite films.
Rated 19 Apr 2014
feublofeublo
Rated 20 Jul 2019
85
74th
Through a broad yet gorgeous scope, captured is the endless road of life that travels back and forth among the coming-of-age. Not far below the surface, is a melancholic journey that grasps tightly at any sliver of hope. What a joy this would be to create.
Rated 20 Jul 2019
deaddillydeaddilly
Rated 20 Jul 2019
90
94th
On chasing the illusion of home. Endlessly inventive and still emotionally resonant. I was sort of in awe of how deeply human I found this film to be considering the vast amount of ground it covers. Best thing I've seen in a while.
Rated 20 Jul 2019
tjekhovTjekhov
Rated 17 Mar 2011
60
54th
The shakespearian feeling made it an interest watch, but otherwise I felt that it wanted to be too many things without really accomplishing that feat. It had some powerful shots, and the whole "life's a road, use it" feeling was quite refreshing due to the narrative structure, which otherwise would have been, well, a bit of cliché, I guess. Didn't find the depicted milieu Intriguing, though.
Rated 17 Mar 2011
nobambanobamba
Rated 28 Nov 2020
70
76th
A very poetic contrast in the lives of these two men and how they intersect with each other for an ultimately passing moment in their lives. The disjoined narrative actually made the film stick out more to me and become poignant afterward. I was not a fan of Phoenix's constant narcoleptic episodes since it felt too gimmicky. Keanu wasn't a bad person, really, he just never fit in. I prefer still scenes to fake sex scenes. Fav scene: the juxtaposition between the funerals of Keanu's dads.
Rated 28 Nov 2020
joelwatchesmoviesjoelwatchesmovies
Rated 01 May 2016
6
43rd
Artistically, it's a marvel, with an abundance of creative captures: The talking magazine covers, the sex motion-picture-stills, the stunning nature time-lapses, the bar shot half indoors, half window reflection. Story-wise, it's a mixed bag: The outsider characters are unique and refreshing (Phoenix shines), but the narrative is choppy and often hard to follow. The Shakespearean second act drags, but the separation of Mike and Scott in the third act is poignant (see the contrasting funerals).
Rated 01 May 2016
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 19 Sep 2008
8
82nd
The first time when Keanu's acting didn't bug me or take me out of the film. Really underappreciated gem from Van Sant. Also, River Phoenix has some amazing hair.
Rated 19 Sep 2008
shewasSheWas
Rated 14 Jan 2012
95
98th
Such a sensative, Shakespearean unrequited love story and somehow a brilliant comedy. Fascinating and cruel as much as it is sweet and humble.
Rated 14 Jan 2012
evranaevrana
Rated 27 Nov 2012
82
78th
This movie is one sick puppy... I'm not a big fan of Van Sant but this movie is really special. It is weird as weird can go, yet extremely touching and humane. It is full of wonderful imagery and theatrical dialogues in the most realistic settings possible. This is what would happen if a hero gets lost on a hero's journey and falls asleep.
Rated 27 Nov 2012
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 22 Sep 2010
70
79th
Gay Shakespeare isn't all that effective, but Reeves and Phoenix are very good.
Rated 22 Sep 2010
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 02 Jun 2010
4
70th
It's sometimes a bit of a mess, but at its best My Own Private Idaho is a really beautiful and creative film, with a unique and touching narrative, a great cast of characters and some absolutely gorgeous cinematography. I especially enjoyed the recontextualization of Shakespeare - I always thought Chimes at Midnight was lacking in gay street junkies.
Rated 02 Jun 2010
caimancaiman
Rated 07 Feb 2010
83
72nd
A movie that remained with me, due mostly to its very unexpected narrative style. A unique take on Shakespeare, and very much worth watching.
Rated 07 Feb 2010
pyrosexualpyrosexual
Rated 25 Jan 2021
70
30th
If only Keanu Reeves and all of the Shakespearean elements could be surgically removed, there's some really great shots of Old Portland, River Phoenix is really good and the street kids were pretty cool too. Could of been one of Van Sant's best if not for what sounds like excessive studio meddling.
Rated 25 Jan 2021
lucluc
Rated 22 Oct 2008
30
2nd
What a disaster this movie : bad, boring, irritated camera-shots. K.Reeves played here a strange role as a male-prostitute. I'll quickly forget this film.
Rated 22 Oct 2008
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 24 Jun 2013
85
59th
Like most of Gus Van Sant's films, I'm left utterly conflicted by this one. Many of its elements are so fucking cool, but the entire package just doesn't work for me. Some of the stuff in the seedy underbelly of Portland grates more than anything else. Luckily, River Phoenix is excellent - and his hair, holy shit, I want that.
Rated 24 Jun 2013
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 21 Mar 2008
95
95th
21 Mart 08 & Gus Van Sant'in basyapiti ve River Phonix, Keanu Reeves''in en iyi performansi."Mike'in, Scott'a ona asik oldugunu soylemesi" (soylemeye calismasi) sekansinda Phoenix'in oyunculugu mukemmel.Sonunda Mike hayatina devam eder ve sokaklarda bilinmeyen bir yola dogru yol alir ve yonetmende onumuze kocaman bir yazi koyar "have a nice day!".Mike, oz babasinin cenazesinde, aslinda gercekten babasi oldugunu dusundugu kisinin cenazesine uzaktan bakmakla yetinir.Unutulmaz bir yol filmi.
Rated 21 Mar 2008
magdabagmagdabag
Rated 03 Jan 2023
93
89th
Waiting for the sequel "My Own Private Indiana." Keanu Reeves shows a rare performance where I actually care about his character. Phoenix is truly a marvel in this and someone I think we can all relate to. I wish I would've watched a bit younger because I really could have used more queer media growing up. It's not the happiest of endings though, so maybe that's for the best. I loved this and highly recommend for any and every film lover. I give 9 campfire scenes out of 10.
Rated 03 Jan 2023
yiannosYiannos
Rated 08 Apr 2016
73
78th
M.O.P.I is a typical work of Van Sant in 'artiste' mode: it focuses on two outsiders--in this case gay male hustlers--living on the social margins. Despite its visual ingenuity, it's less cohesive than Drugstore Cowboy and more naive than his death trilogy, but it's tremendously effective in fits and starts. The intertextual references to Henry V are not always successful, but the actors give it their best, and there is an obvious tragedy to Phoenix's performance that's hard to shake.
Rated 08 Apr 2016
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
58th
I liked it. Hate me if you need to.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
citysqwirlcitysqwirl
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
81st
When this came out, it represented a lot of my personal fantasies of what I'd always wanted to see in a movie. River was my favorite. It hasn't aged wonderfully, though -- or perhaps I've aged to the point where I'm not as entranced by the grubby, hard-luck romance or the hyper-realistic King Hal homage. It still has River, though, and so I will always love this movie. And I still haven't decided . . . is Keanu the worst actor of all time (albiet pretty), or the Zenlike absence of a mov
Rated 14 Aug 2007
yilbyilb
Rated 14 Aug 2007
20
7th
Pretentious wanky art film. Cute boy softcore.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
leonardisLeonardis
Rated 12 Jun 2022
84
44th
One of those movies I’ll probably have to see again to fully appreciate. I wasn’t expecting it to be so artsy. Sant’s artsy stuff didn’t work for me here and I didn’t like a bit of the Shakespearean dialogue. Everything else was great though. The bonfire scene was beautiful and Phoenix is absolutely exceptional as Mike. Reeves was good too. Once the second act hits, everything is smooth, emotional, kind of profound sailing. Really good stuff.
Rated 12 Jun 2022
stainStain
Rated 28 May 2007
50
33rd
The filmmakers must have thought this was sooooooooooo clever. You can just see Van Sant and his cronies patting each other on the back just off camera
Rated 28 May 2007
hanneHanne
Rated 06 Mar 2007
92
99th
A film that's as funny as it is tragic. It's a very simple story with many fascinating characters. I love the innocence of the film, even though it's about male hustlers. It's one of the most moving films I've ever seen.
Rated 06 Mar 2007
glifosfatoglifosfato
Rated 08 Feb 2013
48
36th
river phoenix' acting is stellar, but is the only good thing about this film. the script was weak and keanu reeves is, not only a lousy actor, but also a particularly bad choice for the part.
Rated 08 Feb 2013
prowlerprowler
Rated 18 Nov 2014
50
47th
"50" seems to be the score i give to movies that have something to say which i don't quite appreciate
Rated 18 Nov 2014
anilscnanilscn
Rated 19 Feb 2019
35
23rd
Film boyunca saçma sapan tiradların sonu gelecek diye bekledim ancak film bitti.
Rated 19 Feb 2019
tsvetetsvete
Rated 28 Aug 2015
88
50th
1
Rated 28 Aug 2015
cinegeekdecinegeek.de
Rated 25 Jun 2016
85
71st
(...)Mike sucht nach Liebe, doch wenn er ehrlich ist, braucht er jemanden, der ihm Schutz bietet, der ihn hält. Grosse mentale Schäden erlitt er während seiner Kindheit, nun sucht er nach einer Obhut - ganz gleich, ob bei einem Mann oder einer Frau. Einen klassischen Hollywood Plot bekommen wir dabei nicht geboten. Der Film treibt - genauso wie das Leben der Beiden auf keinen festen Punkt zu.
Rated 25 Jun 2016
bizortbizort
Rated 16 Apr 2016
74
63rd
Shakespeare doesn't really work and, at times, feels shoehorned in. Keanu turns in a Keanu performance. River Phoenix, however, knocks it out of the park. A sometimes compelling story
Rated 16 Apr 2016
lilarcorLilarcor
Rated 10 Nov 2014
66
28th
Tries too many different things without paying anything off. The Shakespeare lines are very distracting.
Rated 10 Nov 2014
gatoquentegatoquente
Rated 30 Dec 2019
90
40th
I love the sceneries that were interspersed between shots recalling the protagonist's childhood memories. The acting between Keanu & River as fleeting lovers was convincing, but the ending pours a cold water on me. Kind of lonely parting between the two actors. Sad. MY SCORING: 99-96=Great; 95-90=Very good; 89-85=Good; 84-80=So-so; 79-70=Boring; Below 70=Forget it.
Rated 30 Dec 2019
lethiaslethias
Rated 06 Apr 2020
91
94th
This movie has all the ingredients that make a watchful soup for my subjective taste. Crazy characters with deeply rooted issues forced on the verge of society, screen poetry, anarchistic behavior and last but not least, a cruel perspective change that when all the fun and games are over, reality for those who are left on the edge of society is cruel, sad and all the stuff that makes them seem playful, free and off our 'boring' lives also doesn't fix their internal issues. They've nowhere to go.
Rated 06 Apr 2020
simsorutsimsorut
Rated 21 Sep 2020
74
50th
I'm a connoisseur of roads. I've been tasting roads my whole life. This road will never end. It probably goes all around the world.
Rated 21 Sep 2020
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 27 Dec 2020
59
70th
A movie that flies by the seat of its pants, I was compelled at times trying to figure out where this oddity was going. It's a unique movie that can't truly be defined, with strong themes and incredible stacked scenes that lead to one of a kind pacing. But there were lulls, there was an unknowable quality that left me cold, and the end left much to be desired.
Rated 27 Dec 2020
neonmanNeonman
Rated 19 May 2021
83
74th
A fairly quirky film, I guess showing how these destitute delinquents can be really sporadic in their dialogue and mannerisms -- and the film conveys that well. A great messy slice-of-life film, with an ending that sums up that some people are (desperate) scumbags and some people are good.
Rated 19 May 2021
chadarnookchadarnook
Rated 22 Jun 2021
72
33rd
This feels like multiple experimental films stitched together. There's a coldness to Gus Van Sant's worldview that once seemed like artistic restraint; with perspective I'm not sure it holds up. It hides behind Shakespeare and overuses narcolepsy. Fun to see vintage Keanu though.
Rated 22 Jun 2021
peyrinpeyrin
Rated 29 Aug 2021
65
42nd
Some of the scenes here rank among the best in van Sant's filmography so far. Bit of a mixed bag overall, but I respect the vision.
Rated 29 Aug 2021
croweycrowey
Rated 01 Mar 2022
45
34th
Really weird & I really didn't get it - but unlike many such films, it wasn't a pleasure to watch, either, so lacking both logical structure and emotional impact - as well as personal investment, it was basically cryptically useless. The cast was great, but they seemed to sort of flop around like ragdolls in the hands of a directionless toddler, with a meandering & bizarre plot.
Rated 01 Mar 2022
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 11 Apr 2022
78
72nd
River Phoenix gives an outstanding performance in this film. The script is interesting and the director makes a good movie here. Overall I would recommend this film.
Rated 11 Apr 2022
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 24 Aug 2022
67
33rd
Oddball retelling of Shakespeare's Henry IV in the male prostitute community of Portland Oregon. It gets a bit weird at times in how it kind of delves into and out of more Shakespearian language. Reeves' performance in particular can get a bit odd. Phoenix is good and William Richert is pretty good in the Falstaff role. Interesting musical choices. A bold choice and some creative stuff, but all of the pieces together were kind of odd and it didn't totally work for me. Interesting effort, though.
Rated 24 Aug 2022
bownBown
Rated 06 Nov 2022
75
35th
Some solid character work here but I was not so into a lot of the execution especially the Shakespeare stuff. Really good cast, though - River Phoenix is so incredible.
Rated 06 Nov 2022
brrrpbrrrp
Rated 19 Feb 2024
75
76th
Offers an impressionistic view of the world of street hustling with pretty good results. The patchworked quality, Shakespeare and all, lends a convincing and not unrealistic eccentricity to characters and situations.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
tasog37tasog37
Rated 28 May 2010
88
66th
Lyrical, with strong performances. Works well as a poetic composition.
Rated 28 May 2010
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 03 Jan 2007
92
91st
River Phoenix faria 50 anos (!!!) hoje. Lembro até hoje da sua morte sendo noticiada no jornal em 93 e o quanto foi chocante. Por isso assisti meu filme favorito com ele, Garotos de Programa, e uma das adaptações de Shakespeare que mais gosto. Blu-ray rip RARBG.
Rated 03 Jan 2007
slackerishslackerish
Rated 11 Jan 2007
95
94th
Incredibly surreal and gripping, great acting, it's simply one of the most underrated films of all time.
Rated 11 Jan 2007
djrossdjross
Rated 20 Feb 2007
30
12th
I couldn’t get past the poor acting and seemingly unjustified sense of self-importance. It’s not inconceivable that another viewing would result in a revised opinion (not having seen it since 1991).
Rated 20 Feb 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 24 Feb 2007
55
49th
Good film.
Rated 24 Feb 2007
sethgeckoSethGecko
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
66th
Gus Van Sant's masterpiece, absoluty brilliant and it's so sad River Phoenix died so youn
Rated 14 Aug 2007
svicciarellisvicciarelli
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
68th
Strong stuff but I'm not sure I *got* it all.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
stflyst_fly
Rated 24 Aug 2007
58
53rd
Good
Rated 24 Aug 2007
cestmoicestmoi
Rated 17 May 2008
75
48th
90s classic, can't resist.
Rated 17 May 2008
woozybWoozyB
Rated 08 Sep 2009
90
86th
Keanu's best performance. Also, I never realized it, but I've heard that it's a partial adaptation of Henry V Parts 1 and 2, and I think it does work in a tangential sort of way.
Rated 08 Sep 2009
viejavieja
Rated 09 Dec 2009
90
86th
90
Rated 09 Dec 2009
eggbeatereggbeater
Rated 12 Dec 2009
50
39th
Film opens terrifically, promising to surpass even Van Sant's _Drugstore Cowboy_ -- then gets bogged down in a long, dreadfully conceived gay variation on Shakespeare's _Henry IV, Part One_, from which it never fully recovers. Many potent scenes, though, and Phoenix is excellent; cult status is assured.
Rated 12 Dec 2009
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 15 Jan 2010
62
24th
752
Rated 15 Jan 2010
rufamRufam
Rated 02 Jul 2014
75
72nd
Moody, sad and fractured, just like Mike's part, "My Own Private Idaho" is an engaging portrait of life as a hustler and overwhelming nostalgia. Phoenix isn't the most emotive of actors but he was definitely a born star, Keanu not so much but at least he's not a total embarrassment and Van Sant's camera mostly succeeds in finding poignancy and affection in the right places.
Rated 02 Jul 2014
glmglm
Rated 26 Dec 2010
88
87th
87.667
Rated 26 Dec 2010
alon_reterAlon Reter
Rated 14 Apr 2011
55
39th
A decent, boring drama. I admit I hoped for something sensational and nostalgic, so it didn't really fit into my expectations. Also, way too many warm colors. I like River Phoenix, though.
Rated 14 Apr 2011
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 02 Dec 2011
61
22nd
#779
Rated 02 Dec 2011
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 05 Feb 2012
80
47th
A remake of Henry V in Portland and Idaho. All the acting is great. Yes, even Keanu Reeves.
Rated 05 Feb 2012
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 29 Feb 2012
3
45th
Shakespeare, male prostitution, a previous unrelated film project. It occasionally feels sloppily cobbled together from this combination of improbable inspirations. But generally it's a moving film, light on narrative but full of sensitive behavior and emotion.
Rated 29 Feb 2012
overratedoverrated
Rated 29 Mar 2012
44
38th
Didn't really care about any of the characters and the quest to find Mike's mother never feels compelling. The integration of gay cinema and Shakespeare is ambitious but clumsily done, if anything it's detrimental as it seems the actors are fulfilling tropes rather than inhabiting real people. At least Udo Kier saves this from being completely forgettable.
Rated 29 Mar 2012
jargonscottjargonscott
Rated 26 Nov 2006
45
25th
Unashamedly revels in its own pretentiousness; average performances from all concerned in yet another hollow Shakespeare reworking.
Rated 26 Nov 2006
bellafilmbellafilm
Rated 04 Mar 2013
73
25th
keanu reeves is shit, but i was able to ignore him and enojy the film
Rated 04 Mar 2013
hofschneiderHofschneider
Rated 11 Jun 2013
71
33rd
superficial.
Rated 11 Jun 2013
rant1229rant1229
Rated 13 Aug 2013
4
69th
"What did the 1990's indie movement mean?" Don't watch Tarantino. Don't watch Soderbergh. Don't watch Linklater. Don't watch the Coens (actually watch all of them and often, just not to answer that question). Watch this!
Rated 13 Aug 2013
glm01glm01
Rated 07 Oct 2013
85
83rd
85.000
Rated 07 Oct 2013
quirkyjunkyquirkyjunky
Rated 09 Feb 2014
95
98th
the reflection of the grief and purity in cinema history. "I mean, for me, I could love someone even if I, you know, wasn't paid for it... "
Rated 09 Feb 2014

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