I'm not one who gets terribly excited about films that are super artsy. When movies win awards because they have some sort of hidden artistic meaning I normally "don't get it." Maybe I am not smart enough but I just can't relate.

The story begins with Mike (River Phoenix) on a highway in the countryside. How he got there or why he is there is not explained, nor does it make any sense that he would be so far away from any structure on his own. I think this was meant to be symbolic rather than real. I dunno. However a bit later it shows Mike back in Seattle where he works as a prostitute of sorts taking on clients that are mostly male and well, a bit on the odd side such as when he ends up with one man who gets turned on by cleanliness and makes Mike dress up as a young male maid of sorts. I don't know what the hell was going on here.

Later, when employed by a woman, Mike is reunited with his friend Scott (Keanu Reeves) who despite being extremely wealthy, works as a prostitute also. The story touches base about how Scott is to soon inherit a bunch of money from his ailing father and Scott is going to be a savior for the homeless community that he is a part of.

Then a bit later the story completely changes gears and it becomes about how Mike would really like to find his mother, and he has to go to Idaho at first for clues on how to find her. Scott agrees to go with him on his motorcycle. The rest of the story follows the duo's travels around the world looking in vain for Mike's mother.

The film has elements of Shakespeare in it and that is evident with some of the dialogue which seems extremely out of place, particularly when spoken by Keanu Reeves. I suppose I can applaud that being thrown in. The movie itself was interesting enough but I'm afraid it was just too intentionally vague for me. I don't always like to read between the lines in order to figure out what the hell is going on and that is exactly what you have to do in this movie since the plot seems to be about coming of age? I don't even know.

I don't want to tear this movie apart because it is my understanding that people enjoy these sorts of vague artsy movies that you really got to work to understand what is going on. I just don't happen to be one of those people. It is on a list of best movies of the 90's and that is why I watched it. I do not agree that it is one of the best movies of the 90's. I would skip this one unless you enjoy reading between the lines and enjoy mysterious imagery rather than having a story fed to you. I dunno, i guess i am not cultured enough to fully appreciate it.

4 / 10

Name: My Own Private Idaho (film) - it's ok i guess
Item: My Own Private Idaho
Author: @gooddream

Comments · 5

@fabfreelancer(43)· 2754d

I'm fascinated by the enigma that was River Phoenix, and am in the process of watching most of the movies in his all-too-short career.

It being 25 years (!) since his death, I recently watched this documentary about him, and My Own Private Idaho was discussed at length - River's approach, how his agent didn't want him to take the role, that sort of thing. I (sort of) get what he was trying to achieve artistically, yet even the clips I saw were very, just, lacking.

It all reminds me of an implausibly valuable painting at the MFA that isn't really a painting, just this giant white canvas with a dot in the corner.

@iamevilradio(62)· 2756d

I am the type of guy who enjoys these artsy type of movies and enjoy not having all the pieces filled in for me. Nothing bugs me in a film quite like having a character who only exists to explain what is happening on screen as though the director doesn’t have faith that his audience can understand his film. There’s a lot to be said in things going unsaid if that makes any sense. Still, I understand this film isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. I’m glad you picked up on the Henry IV though, even if they aren’t exactly great scenes.

Still it’s not my favorite film by him by far. Probably behind Drugstore Cowboy and definitely behind Last Days, Paranoid Park, and Elephant (the last of which completely broke my spirit when I first saw it.) He has this knack in those three in showing a possibility in the unknown of a true event that can either give a fake sense of closure or leave more questions. I’m reading that sentence back and trust me, it’ll make more sense if you ever see them.

Still, dug your review. Love how you are willing to reach into the past. There are a ton of overlooked films from this time period and I’m glad you seem to be willing to give them a shot.

Posted using Partiko iOS

@robertandrew(70)· 2756d

Have heard of it but never seen it. Thanks for the heads up @gooddream

@ahmedabashir(39)· 2756d

i like it My Own Private Idaho is considered a landmark film in the New Queer Cinema movement an early 1990 movement in queer themed independent filmmaking Since its 1991 release the film has grown in popularity and been deemed as a cult classic especially among queer audiences. Notably for its then taboo subject matter and avant garde style

@joalvarez(75)· 2756d

I would definitely not think of this movie being on the best movies of the 90's since there are so many awesome movies made in the 90's and so I would definitely agree with you on that.
I would not want to watch this movie again and I would probably rate about the same as you @goodddream