My Own Private Idaho

Name: My Own Private Idaho
Director: Gus Van Sant
Genre: Drama
Released: 1991
Duration: 1 h 44 min
Rating: 7.057

Wherever, whatever, have a nice day.

1991·Directed by Gus Van Sant·3.5·1h 44m

Letterboxd Trailer Where to Watch

Drama United States of America

In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry IV," Mike Waters is a hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor 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.

Recommended by 4 People

“River Phoenix was amazing, and Keanu Reeves and I came back for the premiere and I stayed... so that was my own private Idaho, very important for me.”

Udo Kier

Actor

“This movie is so honest, and I was, like, incredibly influenced by River Phoenix. God, how fucking punk rock is River Phoenix? Everything is honest with this guy, which is just beautiful.”

Norman Reedus

Actor

“There are some scenes in this film—it's the first time I've really been excited by acting in like a few months... there was something so intimate it was like we shouldn't be watching this.”