Getting addicted to drugs is never a smart idea, but those who succumb to it can often preserve their intellectual abilities in ways that allow for ingenious ways for long-term support of such habit. One of such persons is protagonist and narrator of Drugstore Cowboy, 1989 drama directed by Gus Van Sant. Plot is set in 1971 Portland, Oregon. Bob Hughes (played by Matt Dillon) is 26-year old man whose life revolved about drugs and who developed ways to obtain them. He leads small gang of addicts that include his wife Dianne (played by Kelly Lynch), young man named Rick (played by James LeGros) and Rick’s teen girlfriend Nadine (played by Heather Graham). They rob pharmacies in search of prescription drugs which they either abuse or sell to other addicts. Bob became quite skilled not only in robberies, but also in hiding the loot, much to the frustration of narcotics detective Gentry (played by James Remar) who fails to put gang behind the bars. However, when gang’s luck finally runs out and tragedy strikes, Bob decides to turn his life around and goes through methadone treatment in order to get rid of addiction. After that he gets a job in machine shop, lives in cheap hotel and tries to stay out of trouble, but the presence of Father Tom Murphy (played by William S. Burroughs), defrocked priest and drug addict, is a constant reminder of his old ways.
Gus Van Sant is a film maker who has built reputation on films dealing with society’s outcasts. James Fogle, author of the semi-autobiographical novel upon which Drugstore Cowboy is based, was one such individual; he spent most of his adult life behind bars, usually for drug-related crimes, even after fame created by the film allowed opportunity to turn his life around. This provided authenticity to the script co-written by Van Sant and Daniel Yost. Drugstore Cowboy is one of the relatively rare drug-themed 1980s Hollywood films that approaches addiction not only from the perspective of an addict but also tries to portray drug habit as something pleasurable or at least seductive in its ability to temporarily take away addict from unbearable reality of the world. Van Sant paints this picture through relatively intelligent and thoughtful protagonist, very well played by Matt Dillon in one of the best performances of his career. He outshines other parts of the cast, which are left with less impressive and inferior characters – Kelly Lynch as over-sexed woman loves her husband, but loves drugs even more; James LeGros as dimwitted junkie; Heather Graham as arrogant teenager; Max Perlich as boyish street criminal aspiring to become drug lord; James Remar as tough policeman who transforms from Bob’s archenemy into supporter and, finally, Grace Zabriskie as Bob’s long-suffering “normie” mother who doesn’t allow her son access to home, knowing very well that it would be robbed in order to support the habit. Van Sant directed film well, keeping good pace and convincingly portraying early 1970s despite low budget. However, some of the scenes, especially those depicting effect of drugs on protagonist, are little bit too “artsy”.
Drugstore Cowboy received rave reviews and even some awards, although it was too out of 1980s mainstream to “Oscars”. Much of its success among critics had to do with its iconoclastic approach to drugs while War on Drugs and “Just Say No” campaign were at its peak. By setting the plot in 1971, with some clear references to hated President Nixon, Van Sant has struck cord with many Boomer critics who in Bob and his crew recognised a little of anti-establishment rebellion that they themselves supported at the time. Van Sant enhanced this effect by casting great anti-establishment from the past – famous and controversial Beat Generation writer William S. Burroughs – in the role of rather unusual ex priest who even indulges in some overtly political critique of War on Drugs. It is his celebrity presence that, at least for those viewers familiar with his iconoclastic work, makes Drugstore Cowboy look less like a nice a well-done piece of American independent cinema and more like Hollywood product. Despite these flaws and despite dark subject which, unlike in many other films like Trainspotting, isn’t made lighter with some humour, Drugstore Cowboy is well-made film that deserves recommendation.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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Movie URL: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/476-drugstore-cowboy Critic: AA
