Buy My Own Private Idaho on DVD

My Own Private Idaho

DVD
Criterion 2-disc

More Info

In stock and ready to ship

$35.99 (10% off)
List Price: ~~$39.99~~

When new special editions or price reductions are announced.

Synopsis

Director Gus Van Sant at his most daring, erotic and brilliant. A near-perfect film, featuring the late River Phoenix's finest performance. The feature-packed Criterion edition certainly does justice this long-awaited release.

3 Reasons To buy this film

One of Gus Van Sant's best films; and really, it's hard to call yourself gay if you don't watch and own this!
River's quietly pleadful declaration of love to Keanu as they sit in front of an outdoor fire is a Perfect Moment in gay film history.
Here's your one chance to see the late actor River Phoenix in a gay role.

Review

With My Own Private Idaho (only his third film), director Gus Van Sant has proven himself one of the most daring, innovative and accomplished directors of the day. River Phoenix's portrayal of Mike, a solitary, narcoleptic street hustler searching for his long-lost mother is not only brilliant, it's his finest performance. Keanu Reeves gives strong support as the slumming Mike, his beautiful but shallow straight friend and the unresponsive object of Mike's love. The nighttime desert scene in which Phoenix professes his love for Reeves (partially improvised by Phoenix) is both a heartbreaking and startlingly perfect moment in gay film-making. The film is a tender, knowing look at life on the streets (complete with drug-addled messes and sleazy trickings) and even incorporates a bit of Shakespeare's Henry IV into the fold. Dreamily photographed and with mood ranging from hilarious to tragic to highly erotic, My Own Private Idaho is a modern classic.

-- Erik Schut

Product Format Information

DVD : $35.99 (Criterion Collection 2-Disc Set)

Availability: In stock and ready to ship
Close Caption: Yes
Region Code: 1
UPC: 715515015929

Studio : Criterion

Languages: English Dolby Digital 5.1 (Primary)
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic 1.77
Extras: Trailers
Features:
Exclusive new audio conversation between Gus Van Sant and Todd Haynes; New video interview with film critic Paul Arthur on the Shakespeare in My Own Private Idaho; Video conversation between Rain Phoenix and producer Laurie Parker; outtakes; original theatrical trailer; A booklet featuring a nwe essay by Amy Taubin, film critic, and reprinted essays by Gus Van Sant, River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves
Documentaries: The Making of My Own Private Idaho, a new documentary featuring interviews with key crew members

Customer Reviews

One of the 90s Best

Reeves + River = Red Hot wrote on 01/19/2005:

I could go on and on forever about this film. Some folks (like me) think it's one of the most important - and hot as hell - indie films ever made. Others absolutely hate it. I definitely see how it could divide people. Mr. Reeves spouting Shakespeare is a bit jarring, and the fractured non-linear plot is certainly not gonna please fans of SHREK.

But trust me - this is one of the most adventurous flicks I've ever seen, and some of the homoeroticism is hotter than most porn. (River's campfire confession will rip your guts out.)

The fact that the long-overdue DVD release is a 2-disc Criterion Edition is simply the icing on a very controversial and beloved cake.

Get it!!! (And thank you Mr. Van Sant.)