My Own Private Idaho
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Dave Kehr
    100
    Beautifully wrought, darkly funny and finally devastating, My Own Private Idaho almost single-handedly revives the notion of personal filmmaking in the United States. [18 Oct 1991]
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  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Vincent Canby
    100
    The film itself is invigorating - written, directed, and acted with enormous insight and comic elan. [27 Sept 1991]
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  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    100
    It gets you below the emotional belt in a searing, delicate way. No movie this year approaches such magnificent imagery, such delectable poetry.
  4. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    90
    Before this trippy, mesmerizing movie swerves out of control, it delivers an exhilarating and challenging ride.
  5. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hal Hinson
    90
    Van Sant's sensibility is wholly original, wholly fresh. "My Own Private Idaho" adds a new ingredient: a kind of boho sweetness. I loved it.
  6. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    90
    The style is so eclectic that it may take some getting used to, but Van Sant, working from his own story for the first time, brings such lyrical focus to his characters and his poetry that almost everything works.
  7. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    There is no mechanical plot that has to grind to a Hollywood conclusion, and no contrived test for the heroes to pass; this is a movie about two particular young men, and how they pass their lives.
  8. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Jay Scott
    88
    My Own Private Idaho achieves more than most movies dream of attempting. The Shakespearian allusions aside, Van Sant has essentially remade "Of Mice and Men" for the nineties, with Mike as the "mouse," Scott as the "man." It is the mouse who roars.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. AngelikiCoconi
    10
    Very loosely and even more creatively based on Shakespeareâ
  2. Halfwelshman
    7
    My Own Private Idaho is a dark, complex and emotional film journey. It centres on a spellbinding, honest and tender performance from River Phoenix, playing Mike, a young gay street hustler with narcolepsy who goes on a journey across the USA, and eventually to Europe, to find his long-lost mother. He is accompanied by his best friend, and object of his unrequited love, Scott (Keanu Reeves), who is the son and heir of a rich and elderly aristocrat. Over the course of their journey, the unlikely pair encounter an array of colourful characters, and discover many things about themselves, and their place in the world. The film works primarily because of the strength of its two central performances, and the believability of their relationship - had Mike and Scott not been empathetic, the film would have crumbled early on. While Phoenix is the real highlight, Reeves gives an extremely charismatic performance as Scott, and William Richert also impresses as Bob Pigeon, a brilliantly eccentric **** figure who leads the gang of street hustlers who Mike and Scott associate with. I was not surprised to learn that writer/director Gus Van Sant loosely based his screenplay on the works of Shakespeare - at numerous points in the film, you certainly feel like you're watching a play, with its intricate dialogue presented in the form of monologues, and with the extreme flamboyance of some characters (particularly Bob and Udo Kier's Hans). While this is always entertaining, I found myself feeling that My Own Private Idaho would work better, and have far more impact on stage. While Van Sant's direction is always striking, it does sometimes get in the way of the story, and a stripped back stage production, free of unnecessary stylistic distractions would keep the characters and themes of this tale at the forefront of your mind. The film does drift a little in the middle section as well - while the scenes in Italy were necessary for Scott's character to evolve, Mike is given very little to do, and as he is the main focus of the story, this results in a slight loss of momentum. Van Sant redeems himself for this slight blip in a fine fashion shortly afterwards, though - the film's finale is powerful, moving and bittersweet. My Own Private Idaho is, for the most part, an extremely worthwhile, provocative viewing experience. Phoenix and Reeves both give the performances of their career, and their characters, though complex, are relatable and easy to root for on their life-changing journey. The difficult themes covered over the course of the film are handled by Van Sant sensitively, without ever appearing patronising, and he appears keen to provoke further thought and debate on the viewer's behalf. It's only a slightly unfocused middle section and slight over-emphasis on stunning visuals that detracts from the characters and their story. Generally, though, the film remains an immensely satisfying, very human affair.… Full Review »
  3. Justinavery7074
    10
    Van Sant scores once more with this amazing movie. It's just remarkable. Another close masterpiece for Gus Van Sant. Everything that I wanted in an indie movie is here. And River Pheonix is incredible. Quite possibly one of the few times that Keanu Reeves is actually good.… Full Review »
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