My Own Private Idaho

I watched this film because I enjoyed Drugstore Cowboy and To Die For. As this film was also made by Van Sant before he fell off and made Good Will Hunting and psycho- I was looking forward to an off-kilter ride through rent-boy land. What I got was in fact one of my favourite films, and certainly one of the most under-rated American independent films in recent history.

My Own Private Idaho has a kind of grimy transcendentalism that almost touches wong-kar-wai territory. The camera swaggers and frames with a touch that the cameraman must have been born with- the exposure always beautiful. Top marks to the DOP. Another revelation is the dialogue- sometimes playing on the Shakespearian themes that riddle the plot- itself sometimes works its way into a psuedo Shakespearian grandeur (look at the scenes with Bob in them). Another touch is the acting- fantastic performances from all concerned especially as it has been noted before River P. But lets not forget Reeves here- he also plays a fantastic part.

But please, regardless of what I have just said- please do not expect much (as I did not) and then you may emerge from the viewing amazed and glad that you had dedicated your time to this gifted film-maker (like I did).