My Own Private Idaho (1991): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
My Own Private Idaho is a 1991 romantic drama directed by Gus Van Sant, starring Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix. It is partly based on Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare and Barbara A. Mowat. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $6.4 million worldwide. It won 4 awards from 7 nominations, including Best Male Lead at the Spirit Awards 1992. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Director
- Gus Van Sant
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Fine Line Features
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is My Own Private Idaho About?
The premise of My Own Private Idaho without spoilers, adapted from Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare and Barbara A. Mowat. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Mike and Scott, two young men, leave Portland on a journey across America, traveling as far as Idaho and Italy. They seek connection and escape as they grapple with hustling, substance abuse, and the complexities of their own identities. Their travels reveal hidden truths and force them to confront the challenges of their lives, searching for purpose and meaning along the way.
My Own Private Idaho Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- portland oregon
- narcolepsy
- idaho
- gay sex
- male prostitute
- gay sex scene
- gay interest
- gay
- gay cinema
- italy
- street life
- shakespeare's henry iv
+38 more Show fewer
- urination
- gay bar
- gay magazine
- gay teenager
- pedophilia
- homoeroticism
- friendship
- gay kiss
- national film registry
- twink
- search for parent
- psychological trauma
- prostitute
- pornography
- squatter
- taxi
- funeral
- pervert
- time lapse photography
- shakespeare in modern dress
- homosexuality
- male nudity
- male prostitution
- bisexual
- brother brother relationship
- romantic friendship
- internalized homophobia
- incest subtext
- mother son incest
- incestuous pedophilia
- child of incest
- love confession
- falling out
- family secret
- sex scene
- implied pedophilia
- existential poetry
- travel
My Own Private Idaho Cast
Keanu Reeves leads the cast, with River Phoenix. Directed by Gus Van Sant.
-
Director Gus Van Sant
My Own Private Idaho Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave My Own Private Idaho 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 80% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 80%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 77 Metascore
User score 7.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB
My Own Private Idaho Plot Summary
What happens in My Own Private Idaho from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Mike, a seasoned street hustler, finds himself standing alone on a barren stretch of highway, lost in contemplation as he gazes at the road, which he likens to a distorted visage. His moment of introspection is suddenly interrupted by a narcoleptic episode, whisking him away to a nostalgic dreamscape filled with memories from his childhood, complete with home movies and the comforting warmth of his mother’s nurturing presence.
Full summary
The whole story of My Own Private Idaho, scene by scene
My Own Private Idaho Box Office
My Own Private Idaho grossed $6.4 million worldwide. $6.4 million came from the US and Canada and $307 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$6.4M
- US & Canada
- $6.4M
- International
- $307
My Own Private Idaho Awards & Nominations
My Own Private Idaho won 4 awards from 7 nominations, including Best Male Lead at the Spirit Awards 1992. Its biggest night was the Spirit Awards 1992, with 3 wins from 6 nominations.
4 wins7 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Spirit Awards 1992 3 wins · 6 nominations- Won Best Male Lead – River Phoenix
- Won Best Music
- Won Best Screenplay – Gus Van Sant
- Nominated Best Cinematography
- Nominated Best Director – Gus Van Sant
-
TIFF 1991 1 win · 1 nomination- Won International Critics' Award – Gus Van Sant
My Own Private Idaho Trailers & Videos
The trailer of My Own Private Idaho.
How Well Do You Know My Own Private Idaho?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What condition does Mike experience throughout the film?
Cars in My Own Private Idaho
19 cars on screen, including the Norton Commando 750 and the 1991 Cadillac Brougham Stretched Limousine.
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Norton Commando 750 Important role -
1991 Cadillac Brougham Stretched Limousine Minor role -
1975 Cadillac Coupe DeVille Minor role -
1978 Checker Taxicab Minor role
My Own Private Idaho Also Known As
41 alternative titles, including “Belli e Dannati” and “不羁的天空”.
- Also known as
-
- Belli e Dannati
- 不羁的天空
- 属于我的爱达荷
- 我私人的爱达荷
- 男人的一半還是男人
- Garotos de Programa
- Mi mundo privado
- Idaho: El camino de mis sueños
- A Caminho de Idaho
- Mi Idaho privado
- Моят личен Айдахо
- Mon Idaho
+29 more Show fewer
- Das Ende der Unschuld
- My Private Idaho – Das Ende der Unschuld
- Matkalla Idahoon
- På lift mot Idaho
- To diko mou Idaho
- Το δικό μου Αϊντάχο
- Otthonom Idaho
- Otthonom
- Idaho Sheli
- My Private Idaho
- Manasis Aidahas
- I drift mot Idaho
- Moje wlasne Idaho
- Moj privatni Ajdaho
- Мой личный штат Айдахо
- På drift mot Idaho
- Moj mali Idaho
- Benim Güzel Idaho'm
- 리버피닉스의 아이다호
- Los dueños de la noche
- 我自己的爱达荷
- איידהו שלי
- Moje własne Idaho
- 아이다호
- Мій власний штат Айдахо
- Mé soukromé Idaho
- マイ・プライベート・アイダホ
- Góc Khuất, ჩემი პირადი შტატი აიდაჰო
- ผู้ชายไม่ขายรัก
Seen My Own Private Idaho?
Movies Like My Own Private Idaho
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Sex Love Venice, Phoenix and Where the Day Takes You.
My Own Private Idaho FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of My Own Private Idaho, each answered in a sentence.
How long is My Own Private Idaho?
My Own Private Idaho runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was My Own Private Idaho released?
My Own Private Idaho was released on October 18, 1991.
Who directed My Own Private Idaho?
My Own Private Idaho was directed by Gus Van Sant.
More films by Gus Van Sant Who is in the cast of My Own Private Idaho?
My Own Private Idaho stars Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix.
How much did My Own Private Idaho make at the box office?
My Own Private Idaho grossed $6.4 million worldwide ($6.4 million domestic, $307 international).
How is My Own Private Idaho rated?
My Own Private Idaho has 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
Is My Own Private Idaho based on a book?
Yes. My Own Private Idaho is partly adapted from Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare, Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine.
What awards did My Own Private Idaho win?
My Own Private Idaho won 4 awards from 7 nominations, including Best Male Lead at the Spirit Awards 1992.
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