My Own Private Idaho

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2:39

My Own Private Idaho

R

1991

1h 42m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

63 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Mike Waters (River Phoenix) is a gay hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor (Keanu Reeves) 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.

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Critics Consensus

A tantalizing glimpse of a talented director and his stars all at the top of their respective games, Gus Van Sant's loose reworking of Henry IV is smart, sad and audacious.

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Lynden Barber

Sydney Morning Herald

Dec 19, 2025

A self-indulgent mess redeemed by moments of brilliance.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Jun 2, 2014

A simultaneously heartbreaking and exhilarating road movie.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Jun 2, 2014

Holding all these elements together is Van Sant's sensibility, such an elusive thing it instinctively squirms away from any attempt to pigeonhole it.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Mar 17, 2026

1/4

My Own Private Idaho segues into a momentum-free (and periodically unwatchable) midsection overflowing with misguided, aggressively avant-garde attributes...

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 12, 2025

3/4

Van Sant made what in essence is a homosexual road movie that espouses the family values of a Disney feature and the pop art sensibilities of a Warhol piece -- with a liberal dose of Shakespeare thrown in for good measure.

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Morgan Shaunette

Willamette Week

May 28, 2025

Reeves uses a confident, playful swagger to cover his insecurity and internalized self-loathing, but it’s Phoenix who shines brightest as our soft-spoken, vulnerable hero.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 8, 2026

My Own Private Idaho = a *4* star Movie...

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Leonie N

@Briseas Aug 19, 2026

I didn't see this film until 2026 and it is as relevant today as when it was made. What a masterpiece. The acting was superb. The filming masterful. The story poignant. The ending left me so sad. Parents really need to take responsibility for the children they bring into this world.

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Leprechaun K

@LeprechaunKing Aug 9, 2026

Excellent performances by Phoenix and Reeves. An arthouse classic. It isn't particularly entertaining. Ending is ambiguous yet powerful. Overall, it is just okay. Somewhat overrated though.

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Bill E

@Billwill Aug 5, 2026

I do not like Shakespeare.

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Tim D

@RT70717942 Jul 21, 2026

Poetic ravages of the soul, and an imperfect, adulterated blues distortion. . . (And if you were irritated by that word salad, guess what? This ain't exactly Thursday night's fish sticks and mac'n'cheese, here, for sure, but it's my favorite film.)

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Amy M

@RT76738538 Mar 17, 2026

I did not watch this film when it came out in 1991. I watched it last night and I found it very boring. I also really struggled with the acting as it was like Acting Class 101. I love Indie & Artistic films but this one did not do it for me.

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Gus Van Sant

Director

River Phoenix

Mike Waters

Keanu Reeves

Scott Favor

James Russo

Richard Waters

William Richert

Bob Pigeon

Rodney Harvey

Gary

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My Own Private Idaho: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Mike Waters (River Phoenix) is a gay hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor (Keanu Reeves) 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.

Director: Gus Van Sant
Producer: Laurie Parker
Screenwriter: William Shakespeare, Gus Van Sant
Distributor: Fine Line Features
Production Co: New Line Cinema
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 18, 1991, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 5, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.4M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Ultra-Stereo, Surround, Stereo

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