My Own Private Idaho is a 1991 gay-themed independent film written and directed by Gus Van Sant, loosely based on Shakespeare's Henry IV, part 1. Image File history File links My Own Private Idaho DVD cover Source: Amazon. ... Gus Van Sant Gus Van Sant Jr. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Henry IV, Part 1 is a history play by William Shakespeare, widely considered the greatest of the histories. ... Gus Van Sant Gus Van Sant Jr. ... River Jude Phoenix (August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) was an Academy Award-nominated American film actor. ... Keanu Charles Reeves (born September 2, 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a Canadian actor. ... Fine Line Features was the speciality films division of New Line Cinema. ... October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years). ... This is a list of film-related events in 1991. ... This is a list of film-related events in 1991. ... For other articles with similar names, see Gay (disambiguation). ... An independent film (or indie film) is a film initially produced without financing or distribution from a major movie studio. ... Gus Van Sant Gus Van Sant Jr. ... William Shakespeare—born April 1564; baptised April 26, 1564; died April 23, 1616 (O.S.), May 3, 1616 (N.S.)—has a reputation as the greatest of all writers in English. ... Henry IV, Part 1 is a history play by William Shakespeare, widely considered the greatest of the histories. ...

Story

The film follows two street hustlers, Mike (River Phoenix) and Scott (Keanu Reeves), as they embark on a journey of personal discovery that takes them to Mike's hometown in Idaho and then to Italy in search of Mike's mom. Scott is based on Prince Hal, the son of the king in the Shakespearean history Henry IV. He is the son of the wealthy mayor of Portland, Oregon and claims his street behavior, which includes prostitution to male clients, is largely rebellion. Mike, however, is gay, narcoleptic and has no other means of support. The two develop a strong friendship that is tested by Scott's ambivalence to street life and his forthcoming inheritance, as well as Mike's romantic affection for his companion. River Jude Phoenix (August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) was an Academy Award-nominated American film actor. ... Keanu Charles Reeves (born September 2, 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a Canadian actor. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Traditionally, the works of William Shakespeare have been grouped into three categories: tragedies, comedies, and histories. ... Henry IV, Part 1 is a history play by William Shakespeare, widely considered the greatest of the histories. ... Nickname: City of Roses, Stumptown, Bridgetown, PDX Location in Multnomah County and the state of Oregon Coordinates: Country United States State Oregon County Multnomah County Incorporated February 8, 1851 Mayor Tom Potter Area    - City 376. ... Male prostitution is the sale of sexual services (prostitution) by a male with either male or female clients. ... For other articles with similar names, see Gay (disambiguation). ... Narcolepsy is a neurological condition most characterized by Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS), episodes of sleep and disorder of REM or rapid eye movement sleep. ...

Production and release

The screenplay originally consisted of two separate scenarios: the first was called Modern Days and it recounted Mike's story; a second one updated the Henry IV plays with Scott's story. Van Sant realized that he could blend the two stories together in the manner of the "cut up" technique used by writer William S. Burroughs. In essence, this method involves various story fragments and ideas mixed and matched together to form a unique story. The idea to combine the two scenarios formed in Van Sant's head after watching Orson Welles' Chimes at Midnight. William Seward Burroughs II (pronounced ) (February 5, 1914 – August 2, 1997) was an American novelist, essayist, social critic, painter and spoken word performer. ... George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American radio broadcaster, theatre director, film director and actor. ... Orson Welles, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1937 George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) is generally considered one of Hollywoods greatest directors, as well as a fine actor, broadcaster and screenwriter. ...

Initially, no studio would touch the script because of its potentially controversial and off-beat subject matter. After Drugstore Cowboy received such favorable critical raves and awards, studios started to show some interest. However, they all wanted their own versions made and not Van Sant's. This frustration prompted the filmmaker to attempt the feature on a shoestring budget with a cast of actual street kids filling out the roles. Fortunately, New Line Cinema were in the process of branching out into producing arthouse films and decided to back Van Sant's vision with a $2.5 million budget. Drugstore Cowboy is a 1989 film written and directed by Gus Van Sant. ... New Line Cinema logo New Line Cinema, founded in 1967, is one of the major American film studios. ... Art film is a film style that began as a European reaction to the classical Hollywood style of film making. ...

Once the financial backing was secured, Van Sant faced the problem of casting the two central roles. He decided to send the script to the agents of Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix, figuring that their agents would reject the script. However, Reeves' agent was amicable to the project, but Phoenix's agent wouldn't even show the screenplay to the young actor. Once Van Sant got by their agents and talked to the two actors he realized that they were up to the challenge. Reeves and Phoenix had their doubts about such a risky venture but decided to take the plunge and made a pact to do the film.

My Own Private Idaho, like many arthouse movies, did not enjoy a wide release but did garner its share of critical acclaim, particularly for the photography and the performances by the actors. Critics of the film described the story as weak and meandering, and the ending as unnecessarily ambiguous. Van Sant was also criticized for his mixing of Shakespearean dialogue with more modern vernacular, in lines such as "this bike was caught with much ease." Nevertheless, the film became an instant classic of gay cinema. The performance by Phoenix, which was considered one of the finest of his career, permanently cemented his position as a gay icon. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Another memorable performance in the film is that of William Richert as the "street tutor" named Bob, a character based on Shakespeare's character Falstaff, and German actor Udo Kier. Sir John Falstaff is a fictional character who appears in three plays by William Shakespeare primarily as a companion to Prince Hal, the future King Henry V. Round and glorious, tradition holds that Shakespeare wrote the part for his second comedian, a fat man, John Heminges, who played a bold... Udo Kier, promotional photo Udo Kier (born Udo Kierspe, October 14, 1944 in Cologne, Germany) is a German actor. ...

DVD re-release

In 2005, the film was cleaned and remastered by the Criterion Collection. It was released on a 2-disc DVD set. The second disc features new interviews, outtakes and more information about the movie. This DVD set is accompanied by a lavishly illustrated 64-page-booklet featuring previously published articles and interviews with cast and crew and new essays by JT LeRoy and film critic Amy Taubin, a 1991 article by Lance Loud and reprinted interviews with director Gus Van Sant, River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. The Criterion Collection is a joint venture between Janus Films and The Voyager Company that was begun in the mid 1980s for the purpose of releasing authoritative consumer versions of classic and important contemporary films on the laserdisc and DVD formats. ... DVD (Digital Versatile Disc, often incorrectly explained as Digital Video Disc) is an optical disc storage media format that can be used for data storage, including movies with high video and sound quality. ... Jeremy Terminator LeRoy is the name used by an American author who originally published as Terminator and later JT LeRoy. ... Lance Loud (June 26, 1951 - December 22, 2001) was an openly gay columnist probably best known for his role in An American Family, perhaps the first reality show (it was broadcast in the U.S. on PBS in 1973, drawing 10 million viewers and causing considerable controversy at the time). ... Gus Van Sant Gus Van Sant Jr. ... River Jude Phoenix (August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) was an Academy Award-nominated American film actor. ... Keanu Charles Reeves (born September 2, 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a Canadian actor. ...

The title

My Own Private Idaho has no direct relation to the song "Private Idaho" by the B-52's, but Van Sant does thank the group in the end credits. Indirectly, the title suggests that Mike lives in his own fantasy world/ Idaho, i.e. his "own private Idaho" where he lives happily ever after with his mother which would be in line with the meaning of the B-52's song. The B-52s are a rock band from Athens, Georgia, the first of many from the college town that has become one of the most important centers in alternative rock. ... Gus Van Sant Gus Van Sant Jr. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The B-52s are a rock band from Athens, Georgia, the first of many from the college town that has become one of the most important centers in alternative rock. ...

References

The movie was referenced in the movie "Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Movie" with the line "Keanu Reeves in My Own Private Airfield."

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

• Jessie Thomas .... 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 (as Matt Ebert)

• Scott Patrick Green .... Coverboy/Cafe Kid

• Tom Cramer .... Coverboy

• Vana O'Brien .... Sharon Waters

• Shaun Jordan .... Cafe Kid

• Shawn Jones .... Cafe Kid

• George Conner .... Bad George

• Oliver Kirk .... Indian Cop

• Stanley Hainsworth .... Dirtman (as Stanley Hainesworth)

• Joshua Halladay .... Baby Mike

• Douglas Tollenen .... Little Richard

• Steven Clark Pachosa .... Hotel Manager (as Stephen Clark Pachosa)

• Lannie Swerdlow .... Disco Manager

• Wally Gaarsland .... Rock Promoter

• Brian Wilson .... Rock Promoter (as Bryan Wilson)

• Jesse Merz .... Mean Kid

River Jude Phoenix (August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993) was an Academy Award-nominated American film actor. ... Keanu Charles Reeves (born September 2, 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a Canadian actor. ... Michael Balzary aka Flea Flea (born Michael Peter Balzary on October 16, 1962 in Burwood, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia) is the bassist for the alternative funk band Red Hot Chili Peppers. ... Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1941, Grace Zabriskie is a character actress who has played small roles in many popular American films and television series. ... Udo Kier, promotional photo Udo Kier (born Udo Kierspe, October 14, 1944 in Cologne, Germany) is a German actor. ... Scott Patrick Green is an actor. ... Oliver Kirk (20 March 1884-?) was an American bantamweight and featherweight professional boxer who won two gold medals in Boxing at the 1904 Summer Olympics. ... Brian Douglas Wilson (born June 20, 1942, in Hawthorne, California) is an American pop musician, best known as the lead songwriter, bassist, and sometimes lead-singer of the former American rock band The Beach Boys (of which he is also a founding member and the main producer, composer, and arranger). ... Jesse Merz is an American actor, director, producer, writer, and educator. ...

External links

• My Own Private Idaho at the Internet Movie Database
• Criterion Collection essay by Amy Taubin
• myownprivateidaho.com