My Own Private Idaho
(1991)
R | 104 mins | Drama | 29 September 1991
Cast:
River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, James Russo [ More ]Director:
Gus Van SantWriter:
Gus Van SantProducer:
Laurie ParkerCinematographers:
Eric Alan Edwards, John CampbellEditor:
Curtiss ClaytonProduction Designer:
David BrisbinProduction Company:
Idaho ProductionsAccording to an article in the 10 Aug 1991 Vancouver Sun, writer-director Gus Van Sant received several offers to direct big-budget Hollywood films after the success of Drugstore Cowboy (1989, see entry), which was named best picture of the year by the National Society of Film Critics. However, after reading dozens of scripts, Van Sant decided to make another independent feature project in his hometown of Portland, OR. My Own Private Idaho was announced as Van Sant’s next project in the 24 Feb 1990 Screen International, which named Avenue Entertainment as the production company, and stated that principal photography would begin in Aug 1990 in Idaho and Italy. No further mention of Avenue Entertainment was found in contemporary sources, and filming was delayed until Nov 1990. Idaho does not appear to be one of the final filming locations.
As stated in a 13 Oct 1991 LAT article, Van Sant’s screenplay does not adhere to a linear structure, jumping between reality, dream sequences, fantasy, and surrealism. In one scene, the cover models on several gay pornographic magazine covers come to life and have a conversation. A portion of the film contains dialogue from William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, with Keanu Reeves’s character, “Scott Favor,” modeled after “Prince Hal,” and “Bob” representing “Falstaff.” The section is said to be partly an homage to Orson Welles’s 1965 film, Chimes at Midnight, also based on Shakespeare’s work. Van Sant stated the Shakespearean passages were not meant to disrupt the story, but to emphasize its timelessness.
The 24 Feb 1990 Screen International listed Daniel Day-Lewis as a cast ...
According to an article in the 10 Aug 1991 Vancouver Sun, writer-director Gus Van Sant received several offers to direct big-budget Hollywood films after the success of Drugstore Cowboy (1989, see entry), which was named best picture of the year by the National Society of Film Critics. However, after reading dozens of scripts, Van Sant decided to make another independent feature project in his hometown of Portland, OR. My Own Private Idaho was announced as Van Sant’s next project in the 24 Feb 1990 Screen International, which named Avenue Entertainment as the production company, and stated that principal photography would begin in Aug 1990 in Idaho and Italy. No further mention of Avenue Entertainment was found in contemporary sources, and filming was delayed until Nov 1990. Idaho does not appear to be one of the final filming locations.
As stated in a 13 Oct 1991 LAT article, Van Sant’s screenplay does not adhere to a linear structure, jumping between reality, dream sequences, fantasy, and surrealism. In one scene, the cover models on several gay pornographic magazine covers come to life and have a conversation. A portion of the film contains dialogue from William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, with Keanu Reeves’s character, “Scott Favor,” modeled after “Prince Hal,” and “Bob” representing “Falstaff.” The section is said to be partly an homage to Orson Welles’s 1965 film, Chimes at Midnight, also based on Shakespeare’s work. Van Sant stated the Shakespearean passages were not meant to disrupt the story, but to emphasize its timelessness.
The 24 Feb 1990 Screen International listed Daniel Day-Lewis as a cast member, but Day-Lewis does not appear in the final film. A 4 Nov 1990 LAT item announced the casting of River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves as the leads. Phoenix and Reeves had previously worked together on Lawrence Kasdan’s film, I Love You to Death (1990, see entry). Also listed were Lionel Stander, Grace Zabriskie, James Russo, Rodney Harvey, Flea, and Udo Kier. All but Lionel Stander remained in the cast. A 6 Mar 1991 DV news item reported Stander was suing Idaho Productions Inc. for slander and repudiation of his contract. The actor alleged producer Laurie Parker wrongly accused him of failing to disclose health problems, including hearing loss and “an inability to bend,” before his audition. Stander was seeking $75,000 and unspecified punitive damages for a broken contract. The outcome of the lawsuit has not been determined as of the writing of this Note.
River Phoenix reportedly prepared for his role by studying the performance of German actor Bruno Schleinstein, or “Bruno S.,” in Werner Herzog’s 1977 film, Stroszek. In scenes involving narcoleptic episodes, Phoenix attempted to sleep until the moment before filming began, so that he was performing in a “half-asleep state.”
The budget was listed as $2.5 million in the 13 Oct 1991 LAT and 10 Aug 1991 Vancouver Sun. However, an item in the 2 Dec 1991 Var later reported production costs of $3.5 million.
Principal photography began 1 Nov 1990, according to the 13 Nov 1990 HR production chart. Filming took place in Portland; Seattle, WA; and Rome, Italy.
The film debuted with a 27 Sep 1991 screening at the New York Film Festival. The Los Angeles, CA, premiere followed on 11 Oct 1991 at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) theater in Beverly Hills, CA. The event raised money for Los Angeles Center for Living’s Project Angel Food and the Los Angeles Film Forum. Neither Keanu Reeves nor River Phoenix were in attendance. A 10 Oct 1991 HR item stated Phoenix had intended to be there, but had miscalculated the driving time between his home in Florida and Los Angeles, and arrived a day late.
Critical reception was largely positive. Although the 18 Oct 1991 LAT described Van Sant’s latest effort as “weaker on plot” than Drugstore Cowboy, it praised the film’s unexpected moments of humor and tenderness. The 27 Sep 1991 NYT review stated Van Sant had made a “big bold leap” with the picture, joining Jim Jarmusch and the Coen brothers as a leading American independent filmmaker. As stated in the 13 Oct 1991 LAT, My Own Private Idaho won best picture awards at the Toronto Film Festival and Deauville American Film Festival, and River Phoenix won best actor at the Venice Film Festival and an Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead. The film also won Independent Spirit Awards for Best Screenplay and Best Film Music.
The 2 Dec 1991 Var listed My Own Private Idaho as a successful “indie,” with total costs , including production, prints and advertising, of $4.5-$5 million, and revenues of $12.5 million.
A 23 Feb 2011 HR news item reported that Gus Van Sant granted actor James Franco access to raw and unused footage of My Own Private Idaho, as well as footage of River Phoenix “shot years before,” which Franco used to make Endless Idaho, a twelve-hour film containing deleted scenes, outtakes, and behind-the scenes footage, and My Own Private River, which focused on Phoenix’s character, “Mike Waters,” and contained an original score composed by Michael Stipe of the band R.E.M. The films were shown, alongside eight watercolor paintings by Van Sant, at the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills.
The film concludes with a title card reading: “have a nice day.”
End credits include the following statements: “dedicated to Scott Melloo Nall, Jr.”; “the filmmakers wish to express their gratitude to Donna Bascom and Cam Galano”; “special thanks to: Mindy Affrime; Dawn Ahrens; Fabrizio Albertoni; Fred, Pat and Bert Benson; Jane Berliner; James L. Brooks; Iris Burton; Nan Bush; Silvano Cappelli; Antonia Coffman; Rich Conaty; Melanie Cook; Walt Curtis; Richard Gelfand; Steve Gerse; Matt Groening; Elizabeth Hartley; Elton John; Michael Kern; Dr. Stephen Kimberly, M.D.; Solomon J. LeFlore; Hilary Lipman; Laura Lodato; James Louis; Keeston Lowery; Marjie Lundell; Madonna; Cathy Main; Bill McCormick; Richard Miyashiro; Thom Mount; Micki Myshrall; Janis Nelson; Pat and Sandy Nogle; Buckley Norris; Patricia O’Brien; Maggie O’Bryan; Lorraine Olivas; Susie Parker; Arlyn Phoenix; Rain Phoenix; Jeff & John Plew; Paige Powell; Prudence Ragsdale; Sonoko Sakal; Betty L. Smith; Denise Sproul; Erwin Stoff; Harry Swerdlow; Hughie Tanner; Claudio Tinari; Bobbi Thompson; Doug Thompson; Gus Van Sant, Sr.; Nick Wechsler; Kurt Widmer; Harry Zimmerman; Bob Zurcher; Bay Area Travel; Braumas Autonoleggio; Bridgeport Brewery; Budget Rent A Car; Cajun Cafe; The City Nightclub; Garbonzos; Hotel Sant’ Anselmo; Calvin Klein; Eastman Kodak; Mallory Motor Hotel; Mark Spencer Hotel; Nike, Inc.; Oregon Film Commission; Outside In; Portland Chamber of Commerce; Suspension Eyewear; The American Film Institute; and the people of Portland, Oregon; happy birthday, Lorenzo”; and, “and thanks to the B-52’s.”
On a desolate stretch of highway in Idaho, narcoleptic Mike Waters fights to stay awake. He talks to himself about having seen this stretch of road before, which he compares to a face. Suddenly, Mike’s knees buckle, and he collapses in the middle of the road. While sleeping, he dreams of his mother petting his head and telling him, “I know you’re sorry.” Mike goes to Seattle, Washington, where he turns “tricks” as a male prostitute. One day, a “john” named Walt performs oral sex on him. Mike takes the cash Walt tosses on his belly and begs for ten more dollars. At night, he goes home with a regular client who makes him dress in a “Dutch Boy” costume and scrub his apartment clean. Later, a middle-aged woman named Alena summons him to her car. Mike comments that women hardly ever pick him up, especially rich, pretty ones. In the living room of Alena’s mansion, Mike recognizes fellow hustlers, Scott Favor and Gary. When he and Alena embrace, he imagines his mother and collapses on the floor. Alena panics. As Scott and Gary drag him outside, Scott explains that Mike suffers from narcolepsy, brought on by stress. Scott leaves Mike asleep on the lawn. He glances around and recalls his upbringing in a similar neighborhood, bemoaning the pressure he felt to be heartless and competitive like his father, Jack Favor, who is now mayor of Portland, Oregon. Scott is due to inherit a lot of money when his father dies. In the meantime, he disgraces the family name by turning tricks and posing nude for magazines. In the morning, a man named Hans offers Mike a ...
On a desolate stretch of highway in Idaho, narcoleptic Mike Waters fights to stay awake. He talks to himself about having seen this stretch of road before, which he compares to a face. Suddenly, Mike’s knees buckle, and he collapses in the middle of the road. While sleeping, he dreams of his mother petting his head and telling him, “I know you’re sorry.” Mike goes to Seattle, Washington, where he turns “tricks” as a male prostitute. One day, a “john” named Walt performs oral sex on him. Mike takes the cash Walt tosses on his belly and begs for ten more dollars. At night, he goes home with a regular client who makes him dress in a “Dutch Boy” costume and scrub his apartment clean. Later, a middle-aged woman named Alena summons him to her car. Mike comments that women hardly ever pick him up, especially rich, pretty ones. In the living room of Alena’s mansion, Mike recognizes fellow hustlers, Scott Favor and Gary. When he and Alena embrace, he imagines his mother and collapses on the floor. Alena panics. As Scott and Gary drag him outside, Scott explains that Mike suffers from narcolepsy, brought on by stress. Scott leaves Mike asleep on the lawn. He glances around and recalls his upbringing in a similar neighborhood, bemoaning the pressure he felt to be heartless and competitive like his father, Jack Favor, who is now mayor of Portland, Oregon. Scott is due to inherit a lot of money when his father dies. In the meantime, he disgraces the family name by turning tricks and posing nude for magazines. In the morning, a man named Hans offers Mike a ride into town. Suspecting Hans to be a pervert, Mike rebuffs him, but when Mike collapses, Hans pulls him inside his car. Mike wakes up in Portland. Scott explains that Hans was about to drop Mike off in Seattle, but Scott persuaded him to drive them both to Portland. Mike fears Scott sold his body while he was asleep, but Scott insists the ride was free. They meet up with Gary, who has come to Portland with a client. At a Chinese restaurant, Mike mentions that Bob Pigeon, Scott’s mentor, might be in town. Mike asks about Scott’s relationship with the older man, and Scott claims Bob was in love with him. He viewed Bob as a teacher, but says he loves him more than both his parents. The next morning, Mike wakes up on the roof of a building, where several other prostitutes are squatting. From the roof, Gary spots Bob walking down the street with his friend Budd, and everyone runs to meet them at the derelict Governor Hotel. Scott looks for Bob, who has already fallen asleep in one of the rooms. He finds Mike stealing Bob’s cocaine. When he wakes up, Bob rants about his missing drugs and announces the hotel is full of thieves. Gary presents Bob with an idea to steal money from a group of concert promoters who walk home late at night with cash. Mike does not want to be a part of the scheme, but Scott pulls him aside and suggests they play a prank on Bob during the robbery. That night, Bob leads a group in holding up the concert promoters. They are intercepted by Scott and Mike, disguised in hooded cloaks, and run away scared. The next day, Scott taunts Bob by asking where the stolen money is. Bob admits he no longer has it and tells an exaggerated story of how he and his cohorts were ambushed by as many as eleven men. Scott reveals he and Mike stole the money, but Bob does not retaliate because he would never “kill the heir apparent,” referring to the money and influence Scott will inherit. Police arrive in search of Bob. As everyone scatters, Scott and Mike pretend to have sex in one of the rooms. A policeman delivers the message that Scott’s father wants to see him. Later, Mayor Jack Favor reprimands Scott for disappointing him. Scott throws himself at his father’s feet and defends his honor. He looks disturbed when his father convulses and clutches his chest. Soon, Mike says he wants to visit his brother in Idaho. He and Scott ride to Idaho on a stolen motorcycle. At night, they make a campfire. Mike confesses his love for Scott, who insists he only sleeps with men for money. He regards Mike as his best friend, however, and invites him to sleep in his arms. The next day, they visit Mike’s brother, Richard, in his mobile home. Scott goes to the bathroom and overhears Richard yelling at Mike. When he emerges from the bathroom, Mike has collapsed into sleep. He awakens, and Richard talks about their mother, Sharon, who lost custody of her sons when Mike was very young. Mike is disturbed as Richard describes how she slept around and used a loaded gun as a cooking utensil. He claims she used the gun to kill Mike’s father at a drive-in. Mike argues that is impossible because Richard is his real father. Richard comments that Mike knows too much. He shares the most recent postcard he received from Sharon, sent from the hotel where she works in Snake River. Mike and Scott go to the hotel, but a manager informs them that Sharon left for Rome, Italy, a year ago. In the lobby, they run into Hans, who brings them back to his room for a kinky ménage à trois. The next day, having sold Hans their stolen motorcycle, Mike and Scott buy airplane tickets to Rome. There, they earn some money by turning tricks before taking a taxi to the forwarding address the hotel manager gave them. They arrive at a country house, where Mike searches for his mother, to no avail. Meanwhile, Scott becomes smitten with Carmella, a young Italian girl who lives in the house. She explains that Sharon was there to teach her English, but has since left. When Mike realizes Sharon is gone, he sobs in Scott’s arms, and tries to recall the color of his childhood home. Calming down, he announces he is ready to leave. Instead of going, Scott finds Carmella and has sex with her. Consumed with jealousy, Mike witnesses as Scott and Carmella fall in love over the next two days. Finally, Scott gives Mike cash and parts ways with him, suggesting they might meet again later. Back in Portland, Mike returns to the streets, and becomes increasingly unhinged. One night, he huddles against a building with Bob and Budd. A limousine appears and a well-dressed Scott emerges with Carmella. Scott ignores his old friends and walks into a restaurant, where people greet him with reverence and lament the recent passing of his father. Bob follows him inside, but Scott declares he has changed and warns Bob to stay away. That night, Bob dies. His friends blame Scott for breaking his heart. Bob’s funeral takes place at the same time and cemetery as Jack Favor’s. Bob’s friends and Mike raise a ruckus loud enough for Scott to hear, but Scott ignores them. Back in Idaho, Mike stares at another desolate stretch of highway and imagines it goes on forever. He collapses. A truck pulls over, and two men run out. They steal Mike’s bag and shoes and drive away. A second car pulls over, and the driver pulls Mike inside the car.
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