My Own Private Idaho

I was watching a series of movies with Keanu Reeves, wondering where else he could really knock me down. This one would do. I believe that Gus Van Sant created a harsh story of two boys who sell their bodies on the street. It was really a concert of two actors. However, River Phoenix is so sleazy it makes you sick. He nods off at the best moment, due to his character’s disease called narcolepsy. He simply falls into a coma out of sudden and sleeps. Keanu then talks to him. It almost feels as if during these moments he has the best conversations with his movie brother. He explains everything to him, puts him away somewhere in the bushes and picks him up the next day. In the better scenario the brother manages to get home on his own. Sure, that’s what brothers usually do. Gus Van Sant shoots rough stories, but it’s rarely my cup of tea. This one wasn’t. (2014-05-07)

The potential to engage the viewer with a (not-so) true-to-life story, a compelling cast, and a reasonable running time - all of this was there in a relatively digestible consistency, and yet I can't say that My Own Private Idaho captivated, impressed, or entertained me in any way. Overall, it was a middling drama, which is really a shame, especially with the constellation of factors mentioned above. In short, a film that wasn't anything special for me, so I rate it a happy medium. (2011-09-12)

This film captivated me because of the way it is conceived in a kind of dirty yet aesthetically interesting way. Of course, it's an acting showcase for two young actors, where one was fortunate enough to continue in their career, while the other's was cut short. But that was his own fault mostly. River Phoenix puts on a great performance here. (2016-02-24)