My Own Private Idaho
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29

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  1. Eldon
    Mar 4, 2005
    9
    This movie is intense and bizarre at times, I love it. And this new DVD release gives the movie new life and packaging worthy of it's art. A unique cinematic journey that deserves revisitation.
  2. bradleywade1991
    Sep 18, 2010
    10
    A truly sad and touching film that can make you giggle at unexpected times, My Own Private Idaho is a testament to Van Sant and his two leads. Gallantly addressing narcolepsy, incest, drug use, sexuality, homelessness and prostitution in one film, it couldn't have worked were it not for the talents of Reeves and Phoenix. An engaging and thought provoking piece of art, this movie will never die, and like it's star Phoenix, live immortalised in infamy.… Expand
  3. Justinavery7074
    Mar 31, 2011
    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.
  4. AngelikiCoconi
    Jun 9, 2012
    10
    Very loosely and even more creatively based on Shakespeareâ

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    70
    No matter what you've been used to, Idaho is something completely different, a film that manages to confound all expectations, even the ones it sets up itself. [18 Oct 1991]
  2. 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.
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  3. 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]
See all critic reviews »