My Own Private Idaho, Gus Van Sant, 1991, inner torment, homosexuality, queerness, Mike Waters, River Phoenix, narcolepsy, Keanu Reeves, condition of homosexuals, sexual identity, vulnerability, prostitution, existential crisis
The movie My Own Private Idaho was directed by Gus Van Sant. It was released in 1991, in a period when almost no films dealing with homosexuality and queerness in general had yet been shown to the public. Everything was still just the "right" way to behave. So for one of the first times, we follow the story of two characters during the 90s, Mike and Scott, sharing their life on the streets, between robberies and passes with men and women. Mike, played by River Phoenix, is an abandoned child suffering from narcolepsy who has only one idea in mind: find his mother. Scott, played by Keanu Reeves, is the son of the city's mayor and has decided to live on the streets so as not to follow the ready-made destiny that his father had planned for him. However, Scott will receive a significant inheritance on his 21st birthday, knowing full well that it will end his life as a rogue. This choice will also affect the lives of all those around him.
[...] So, Mike goes back to Portland and finds himself alone, finally as he has always been. His narcolepsy attacks are at their peak, and we can see the image of Mike even more desperate than before. No one is there to look after him or to protect him - well, except Bob Pigeon who will stay on the street no matter what, but Mike doesn't seem, even if he is sometimes forced to, to want to stay in that gang. [...]
[...] Scott is Mike's best friends. And Mike's in love with him. He has told him, but unfortunately it is not reciprocal for Scott, who says he's heterosexual and only sleeps with men for money. This will not stop Scott from continuing to be there for his friend, as he will go with him in search of his mother from Portland to Italy and will watch over him whenever he falls into a deep sleep because of his narcolepsy. Fighting Against His Illness Narcolepsy. [...]
[...] This film, a reflection of his existential crisis, sheds light on the conditions of homosexuals and the question of sexual identity in general, in a time when it was taboo and none of those things were yet represented in cinema. As a result, Mike has to face many torments that handicap him on a daily basis. Mike was abandoned by his mother when he was still young. Throughout the film, he recalls the same memories, and many questions arise. Where is she, why did she leave. He needs to find her. [...]
[...] Will he take him back to a place where he will be safe or simply kidnap him to take him to who knows where? The end leaves us very perplexed as for the fate that Gus Van Sant reserves to Mike . It's at the same time a symbol of hope: maybe he will find someone who will be able to help him to calm his torments and to get out of his misery, or on the contrary, could be synonymous with a life even more violent and sad than the one he was already leading. [...]
[...] My Own Private Idaho - Gus Van Sant (1991) - The Character's Inner Torments Written Assignment - Cinema and Crisis Critic review of My Own Private Idaho, Gus Van Sant Introduction The movie My Own Private Idaho was directed by Gus Van Sant. He was released in 1991, in a period when almost no films dealing with queer and homosexuality in general had yet been shown to the public. Everything was still just the "right" way to behave. So, for one of the first times, we follow the story of two characters during the 90s, Mike and Scott, sharing their life on the streets, between robberies and passes with men and women. [...]
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