My Own Private Idaho
1991
Action / Drama

My Own Private Idaho
1991
Action / Drama
Plot summary
In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry IV," Mike Waters is a hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor is the rebellious son of a mayor. Together, the two travel from Portland, Oregon to Idaho and finally to the coast of Italy in a quest to find Mike's estranged mother. Along the way they turn tricks for money and drugs, eventually attracting the attention of a wealthy benefactor and sexual deviant.
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
Not bad
Van Sant's Unique Quest for Home
My Own Private Idaho is in many ways a fresh, unique, and one of a kind film. It definitely will not be a film for everyone, but I did find it both interesting and entertaining, and kind of poetic. Phoenix turns in a solid final performance of his career. As for Reeves, I think his performance fits his character just about right. As two hustlers doing their thing, Van Sant handles the material from a fun, interesting, and unique perspective that gave the proceedings the necessary momentum to carry it through some of the less successful elements of the film. Overall, despite some issues I found My Own Private Idaho memorable and worth checking out.