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My Own Private Idaho

Play trailer 2:39 Poster for My Own Private Idaho R 1991 1h 42m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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My Own Private Idaho

My Own Private Idaho

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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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Critics Reviews

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Lynden Barber Sydney Morning Herald Dec 19
A self-indulgent mess redeemed by moments of brilliance. Go to Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader 06/02/2014
A simultaneously heartbreaking and exhilarating road movie. Go to Full Review Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times 06/02/2014
Holding all these elements together is Van Sant's sensibility, such an elusive thing it instinctively squirms away from any attempt to pigeonhole it. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Mar 17
1/4
My Own Private Idaho segues into a momentum-free (and periodically unwatchable) midsection overflowing with misguided, aggressively avant-garde attributes... Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 12
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. Go to Full Review Morgan Shaunette Willamette Week 05/28/2025
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Leonie N @Briseas Aug 19 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. See more Leprechaun K @LeprechaunKing Aug 9 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. See more Bill E @Billwill Aug 5 I do not like Shakespeare. See more Tim D @RT70717942 Jul 21 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.) See more Amy M @RT76738538 Mar 17 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. See more Tom F @RT55173143 Feb 14 I never saw this until 2026, an interesting artifact of its time. See more Read all reviews
My Own Private Idaho

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Cast & Crew

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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

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My Own Private Idaho

My Own Private Idaho (1991) My Own Private Idaho (1991) My Own Private Idaho (1991) View more photos

Movie Info

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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