My Own Private Idaho (1992)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:32
Fresh:27
Rotten:5
Average Rating:7.1/10
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.
Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Semi-documentary footage of Seattle street hustling mixes with highly theatrical Shakespearean speech in this very loose adaptation of "Henry IV." In Seattle, Mike, a male prostitute and... Semi-documentary footage of Seattle street hustling mixes with highly theatrical Shakespearean speech in this very loose adaptation of "Henry IV." In Seattle, Mike, a male prostitute and narcoleptic, meets Scott, who is rebelling against his wealthy family by working the streets. The two decide to embark on a search for Mike's long-lost mother, and their journey leads them first to Mike's home in Idaho and then to Italy. [More]
Starring: River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, William S. Burroughs, James Russo
Starring: River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, William S. Burroughs, James Russo, William Richert, Rodney Harvey, Chiara Caselli, Michael Parker, Flea, Grace Zabriskie, Udo Kier, Mickey Cottrell
Director: Gus Van Sant
Director: Gus Van Sant
Producer: Laurie Parker
Screenwriter: Gus Van Sant
Get This Movie
Reviews for My Own Private Idaho
| Tomatometer | Critic | Review | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
|
N/R
|
Click to read the article Full Review |
||
|
One of those ambitious, over-reaching disappointments that is more interesting than some more conservative successes. Full Review |
|||
|
One of Gus Van Sant's most personal visions. Full Review |
|||
|
No review available.
|
|||
|
One of Van Sant's best films, a richly dense, poetic evocation of friendhsip that retells Shakespeare's Henry IV in an original and intriguing way; River Phoenix gives his most riveting performance. Full Review |
|||
|
The film's uniqueness lies in its remarkable emotional open-heartedness. Full Review |
|||
|
A quite stark, poetic rumination on the unyielding desire for home. Full Review |
|||
|
Gus Van Sant's best movie.
|
|||
|
No review available.
|
|||
|
Works as a brilliant piece of art, and entertainment. Full Review |
|||
|
No review available.
|
|||
|
Homosexual road movie that espouses the family values of a Disney feature and the pop art sensibilities of a Warhol piece — with a dose of Shakespeare added for good measure. Full Review |
|||
|
a high-water mark in '90s independent film Full Review |
|||
|
No review available.
|
|||
|
provocative and engaging
|
|||
|
No review available.
|
|||
|
No review available.
|
|||
|
No review available.
|
|||
|
Bittersweet, considering the fate of Phoenix.
|
|||
|
Van Sant casts a gently hypnotic spell that is not easily forgotten. Full Review |
Latest News for My Own Private Idaho
January 22, 2009:
RT Interview: Gus van Sant and Dustin Lance Black on Milk
Gus Van Sant and Dustin Lance Black look rather exhausted at this stage in their publicity whirlwind for Milk. The day RT sits down with them, the film has just received four... More...
January 21, 2009:
Five Favourite Films with James Franco
Having established his name in the Spider-Man movies, these days James Franco is clearly making some more personal career choices. He was in three films in 2008, notable for... More...
July 21, 2008:
Brush Up On Your Shakespeare With Our List Of The Bard's Best Films
Friends, readers, Tomato-fans, lend me your ears. Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty, we at RT humbly present to you the Greatest Shakespeare Movies, a list of the Bard's... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 49% 49% | Taking Woodstock |
| 26% 26% | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard |
| 47% 47% | The Girl From Monaco |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- My Own Private Idaho at Rotten Tomatoes
- My Own Private Idaho at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Techland lists the best Sci-Fi films of this decade.

Moviefone takes a look back at the biggest stinkers of the past 10 years.

The Me and Orson Welles star answers reader questions on TIME.com.

Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill offers his thoughts on what the best decade for film was.

In the AV Club's "Scenic Routes," Mike D'Angelo reminisces about the Tim Burton film.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!








