Review of My Own Private Idaho (1991) by Joshua L — 03 Feb 2012

Gus Van Sant's My Own Private Idaho is less a film about the physical and more about the spiritual. Loosely based on Shakespeare, it's a beautifully-shot independent film with something to say.

I can't really admit that I liked the film all that much. It takes a while to get going and there are long pauses where it seems like nothing's happening, but as an art film (which is what I consider it to be), it works very well.

Both River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves give great performances amidst the backdrop of street hustling, the open road, Italy and the Idaho countryside. It's probably not a film for everybody, but the general consensus is that it's very well-received by most people, so it may be a bit broader than I would expect it to be.

Although I have to say, I think a lot of that has to do with the sex appeal of its two young actors. Perhaps that's just me, but I'm sure it has something to do with it. It's a good film, but not one I'd watch over and over again.