My Own Private Idaho (1991)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Gus Van Sant

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play)
Gus Van Sant (written by)

Release Date:

29 September 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

This road will never end. It probably goes all around the world.

Plot:

The movie is set in Portland. Many local characters are included as both personalities and actors.

Plot Keywords:

Portland Oregon | Friendship | Hustler | Narcolepsy | Love

Awards:

8 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

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

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sensuality, language and drug use.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color (Alphacine)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo | Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:15 (DVD rating) | Netherlands:6 (DVD rating) | Singapore:(Banned) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:11 | UK:18 | USA:R | Canada:R | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Maupin, Oregon, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

The campfire scene was not filmed on location but on a sound stage.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: When Mike is in Idaho he has a clear view of Mt. Hood. Not only is the mountain too far away to see (over 200 miles), there is another mountain range lying between Idaho and Mt. Hood, blocking the view.

Quotes:

Scott Favor: I only have sex with a guy for money.
Mike Waters: Yeah, I know.
Scott Favor: And two guys can't love each other.
Mike Waters: Yeah.
Mike Waters: Well, I don't know. I mean... I mean, for me, I could love someone even if I, you know, wasn't paid for it... I love you, and... you don't pay me.
Scott Favor: Mike...
Mike Waters: I really wanna kiss you, man... Well goodnight, man... I love you though... You know that... I do love you.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Filmography: Keanu Reeves" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Nun Freut Euch

River Runs Wild Forever

"My Own Private Idaho" is the movie, in my opinion, that showed the true talent of River Phoenix. I was sitting on the couch one night flipping through the channels and saw that River was in it and I thought "Why not? Hes a good actor". This movie absolutely blew me away. Its this sad and heartful story abut a young boy who is abandoned and is thrown into a life he never should of fathomed of having. He has to sell him self just to get a meal. This movie has touched so many hearts and inspires so many!! River isn't the only great actor, Keanu Reeves does a wonderful supportive job. His character is a rebel against his political dad (trying to make him look bad...typical teenager!!). His and River's paths of live cross and they become traveling buddies!!Its a movie that you'll never forget and i think it becomes more powerful as the years go on. I have to say, movie lovers really do miss River Phoenix. He was a great person and hopefully he adchieved all that he wanted to.