My Own Private Idaho (1991)

How cute does this film want to be? If it's just a story about two male sex workers, then maybe I would like it more than if you try to layer in the Shakespeare.

Gus Van Sant admitted that some viewers found the "Shakespearean dialogue" used in the Bob (William Richert) scenes jarring. I am among those viewers. I just didn't find it necessary. Also, I don't need to be told that the plot is "loosely based on King Henry IV." So what, really? It's not obvious, and I'm more confused about why Scott (Keanu Reeves) wants to live this "lifestyle" until he comes into his inheritance. Does he really expect that people will simply "excuse" him for being a male prostitute until he's 21?

The scene that I appreciate the most is when Mike (River Phoenix) opens up to Scott. He tells Scott that he loves him. That's the best part of the film. Since Scott isn't gay, nothing happens sexually, but they do embrace.

The other part of the film that felt "real" was when Mike and Scott are in Italy, and Scott falls in love with a girl he's just met, and Mike has to sit there and hear them and see them in love. This film has some "real" moments, and if it kept the focus to that, it would be a better film.

Stylistically, Van Sant does some weird stuff, and maybe it just doesn't work for me. Maybe other people find it artsy or like it for reasons that I can't appreciate. In addition to the Shakespeare, there's the "photo montage" sex sequences. Why does Van Sant use that? Is it meant to replicate something that would be seen in a magazine of the period? I don't get it.

Even the isolation captured in the Idaho desolation isn't clear to me. Beautifully shot? Absolutely, but what's the point? We're supposed to replace "Idaho" with "Hell," right? Mike is horribly alone. Other than Scott, he has no one.

I suppose all of the men who go on "dates" with Mike and other male prostitutes are alone, or lonely, too. Do they have no way to "date" other gay men of their own age? Why are they going to prostitutes for sex? Why do Mike and Scott and other guys their age do this line of work? Scott makes it clear that he's not gay, and he doesn't need the money... so it's never obvious to me why he would want to do what someone like Mike might have found himself "forced by life circumstances" to do.

I'm sure I'm missing something in my viewing of this film, but I didn't connect to the story whatsoever.

Rating: 2/5 stars

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