ACOMSDave

Community Journalist

  • Home
  • Community Journalist
  • Events
  • Media Page and Press Kit
    • Projects and Work
  • Resources & Documents
    • LGBTQ+ Support Groups and Documents
  • Archives
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Movie Reviews / My Own Private Idaho

My Own Private Idaho

15/09/2015 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

Exclusive: Gus Van Sant & Todd Haynes Discuss Impact of My Own Private Idaho 

my own private idaho

With the release of the My Own Private Idaho Blu-ray, the directors discuss New Queer Cinema and more in this exclusive clip.
BY JERRY PORTWOOD
SEPTEMBER 11 2015 9:30 AM EDT
1.4K
SHARES

It’s tenderness that fuels the sexuality in My Own Private Idaho, Gus Van Sant’s beloved 1991 movie about Mike, a gay narcoleptic street hustler (River Phoenix), who is desperately in love with his best friend, Scott (Keanu Reeves) — which also happens to be a savvy, queer retelling of Shakespeare’sHenry IV. It all begins with Phoenix receiving a blowjob in the opening scene, and here two of the directors who defined what was called the New Queer Cinema — Van Sant and Todd Haynes — discuss the film in original commentary available on the Criterion Collection’s new Blu-ray release (pre-order here).
We lost the talent of Phoenix too soon, and many younger audiences may not recall that this is how Reeves was introduced to many viewers before he became a blockbuster marquee name, so it’s always essential to go back to this early masterpiece for repeat viewings. It’s unforgettable when Mike confesses to Scott : “I want to kiss you, man,” and the two cuddle up by a campfire together, and the scene clearly paved the way for Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain. It’s the realistic portrayal of platonic, symbiotic intimacy between the two men, however, that will stick with the viewer forever.
The new Criterion Collection Blu-ray is available Oct. 6. Watch the exclusive clip below: 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Movie Reviews Tagged With: Gus Van Sant, Keanu Reeves, My Private Idaho, River Phoenix, Todd Haynes

You must log in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Categories

Copyright ACOMSDave.com © 2021