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Movies / On DVD / My Own Private Idaho
My Own Private Idaho

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My Own Private Idaho (1992)

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Reviews Counted:32

Fresh:27

Rotten:5

Average Rating:7.1/10

Consensus: A tantalizing glimpse of a talented director and his stars all at the top of their respective games, Gus Van Sant's loose reworking of Henry IV is smart, sad and audacious.

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Semi-documentary footage of Seattle street hustling mixes with highly theatrical Shakespearean speech in this very loose adaptation of "Henry IV." In Seattle, Mike, a male prostitute and... Semi-documentary footage of Seattle street hustling mixes with highly theatrical Shakespearean speech in this very loose adaptation of "Henry IV." In Seattle, Mike, a male prostitute and narcoleptic, meets Scott, who is rebelling against his wealthy family by working the streets. The two decide to embark on a search for Mike's long-lost mother, and their journey leads them first to Mike's home in Idaho and then to Italy. [More]

Starring: River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, William S. Burroughs, James Russo

Starring: River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, William S. Burroughs, James Russo, William Richert, Rodney Harvey, Chiara Caselli, Michael Parker, Flea, Grace Zabriskie, Udo Kier, Mickey Cottrell

Director: Gus Van Sant

Director: Gus Van Sant
Producer: Laurie Parker
Screenwriter: Gus Van Sant

[See More Credits]

Reviews for My Own Private Idaho

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

One of Gus Van Sant's most personal visions.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
07/03/08
Wendy Mitchell
Wendy Mitchell
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The film's uniqueness lies in its remarkable emotional open-heartedness.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

provocative and engaging

comment Comment
09/19/04
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Newsweek | comment Comment
10/18/08
David Ansen
David Ansen
Newsweek

One of those ambitious, over-reaching disappointments that is more interesting than some more conservative successes.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
07/03/08
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
12/11/07
John A. Nesbit
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews

One of Van Sant's best films, a richly dense, poetic evocation of friendhsip that retells Shakespeare's Henry IV in an original and intriguing way; River Phoenix gives his most riveting performance.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
01/31/07
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

A quite stark, poetic rumination on the unyielding desire for home.

Full Review Source: Lessons of Darkness | comment Comment
01/25/06
Nick Schager
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness

Gus Van Sant's best movie.

comment Comment
11/07/05
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

No review available.

comment Comment
10/09/05
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily

Works as a brilliant piece of art, and entertainment.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
05/13/05
Jon Lap
Jon Lap
Apollo Guide

No review available.

comment Comment
05/06/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Homosexual road movie that espouses the family values of a Disney feature and the pop art sensibilities of a Warhol piece — with a dose of Shakespeare added for good measure.

Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | comment 1 Comment
03/18/05
Matt Brunson
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing

a high-water mark in '90s independent film

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/10/05
Jake Euker
Jake Euker
Filmcritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
11/19/04
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
06/29/04
Daniel Eagan
Daniel Eagan
Film Journal International

No review available.

comment Comment
03/24/04
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

No review available.

comment Comment
02/10/04
Spence D.
Spence D.
IGN Movies

Bittersweet, considering the fate of Phoenix.

comment 1 Comment
01/24/04
Alex Sandell
Alex Sandell
Juicy Cerebellum

Van Sant casts a gently hypnotic spell that is not easily forgotten.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
07/30/03
TV Guide's Movie Guide
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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Latest News for My Own Private Idaho

January 22, 2009: RT Interview: Gus van Sant and Dustin Lance Black on Milk
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July 21, 2008: Brush Up On Your Shakespeare With Our List Of The Bard's Best Films
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