Film Snail

7.1

My Own Private Idaho

R·1991·104m

Drama

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.

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

Jessica Makinson

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

Wade Evans

Wade

Matthew Ebert

Coverboy

Scott Patrick Green

Coverboy / Cafe Kid

Tom Cramer

Coverboy

Vana O'Brien

Sharon Waters

Shaun Jordan

Cafe Kid

Shawn Wight

Cafe Kid

George Conner

Bad George

Oliver Kirk

Indian Cop

Stanley Hainsworth

Dirtman

Joshua Halladay

Baby Mike

Douglas Tollenen

Little Richard

Steven Clark Pachosa

Hotel Manager

Lannie Swerdlow

Disco Manager

Wally Gaarsland

Rock Promoter

Bryan Wilson

Rock Promoter

Mark Weaver

Rock Promoter

Conrad 'Bud' Montgomery

Rock Promoter

Pat Patterson

Cop

Steve Vernelson

Cop

Mike Cascadden

Cop

Eric Hull

Mayor's Aid

James A. Arling

Minister

Jim Caviezel

Airline Clerk

Ana Cavinato

Stewardess

Melanie Mosely

Lounge Hostess

Greg Murphy

Carl

David Reppinhagen

Yuppie at Jake's

Tiger Warren

Massimo Di Cataldo

Italian Street Boy

Pao Pei Andreoli

Italian Street Boy

Robert Egon

Italian Street Boy

Paolo Baiocco

Italian Street Boy

Mario Stracciarolo

Mike's Italian Client

Gus Van Sant

Man Behind Hotel Counter (uncredited)

Crew

Director, Screenplay

Gus Van Sant

Original Concept

William Shakespeare

Reviews

WilsonWatches

March 28, 2021

Shakespeare meets street hustlers in a plot loosely inspired by Shakespeare's Henry IV part 1, Henry IV part 2 & Henry V. The film is both humorous and profound with River Phoenix's (Mike) shining & Keanu Reeves (Scott) also starring alongside some very memorable characters (Hans, Bob).

I think it's probably of the best LGBT Films/ depictions of LGBT characters in film, & deservedly considered a cult classic. The offbeat film's authentic style coupled with its compelling, drifting story, make My own Private Idaho a must watch nearly 30 years after release.