good back-story, and good acting

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Based on the autobiographical junkie lifestyle of James Fogle's novel of the same name, this flick is a quick skim-through of druggie Matt Dillon and his crew of bandits that rob, connive, and steal their way through life just to get a fix. The film is quite cold and grim, but also raw and honest, and it doesn't sugarcoat the lives of these grown up kids.The movie has a more psychological bent to drug use, with psychedelic effects aptly recreating the euphoria of shooting opiates into the arm, and descriptions of the buzz read verbatim from lines in the book. Matt Dillon carries the film as the leading man, and makes a very convincing superstitious junkie who struggles to keep his crew from giving themselves away. Also in for the fun is a slightly amoral cop, whose antics in trying to catch Hughes on a score leads to some suspense and entertainment.The story takes a turn later on when the protagonist, Bob, tries to go straight. It's here where a glimpse into the mind of the drug user is detailed more eloquently and honestly than the thousands of 'drug movies' that have come out of Hollywood in the past 50 years. A cameo by notable beatnik poet and author William S Burrows offers some poignant social commentary on the prediction of the war on drugs, which makes this film only more timely as the years go on. This turns the film from a good one into a slightly great one. The feel of the early 1970s Portland is accurately recreated with the wardrobe, grimy on location sets, and script. The off-kilter and jazzy soundtrack provides bounce and rhythm to the film when it threatens to get bogged down. While the ending somewhat tapers off, the indie- direction by Van Sant and assured acting performances by the cast (including a gorgeous Heather Graham when she was young) turn this into a low 8. Recommended.

Based on a true story of the experiences of James Fogle (Which I wasn't aware of at first) Bob (Matt Dillon) is a drug addict, who robs drug stores to get his fix. He brings along his partners in crime, Diane (Kelly Lynch) James Le Gros (Rick) and Heather Graham (Nadine) This is not a pleasant film to witness. It's rough around the edges, grueling to get through, but oh, so worth it! I consider this movie to be a near masterpiece for many reasons. The sheer skill of Gus Van Sant, says it all. He may have been responsible for the crappy Psycho remake, but when the man is motivated, he's hard to beat. The gritty nature of this film is absolutely perfect, and I thought the drug abuse was extremely realistic. I felt the desperation of Bob, as well as the undeniable shame that stemmed from robbing drug stores to maintain his habit. It also helps that despite Bob's selfish mannerisms, he manages to remain a sympathetic figure. He won't be sympathetic to everyone, but he was to me. All the credit goes to Matt Dillon for his sensational performance. Kelly Lynch is pretty good herself. She doesn't have as big a role to tackle, but her chemistry with Dillon was excellent, and was vital to the film's success. James Le Gros is good, whilst Heather Graham is splendid in one of her early roles as the clueless tag-along. Drugstore Cowboy also has touches of dark humor. It has a very funny stakeout scene that cracked me up. The most powerful part of the movie for me is when Bob goes straight for a little while. It's a really eye- opening experience, and reminded me how awful addiction can truly be. The movie ends on an ambiguous note. It makes you interpret the situation. I felt it was very smart and expertly done. Final Thoughts: I really don't think my words can do this movie justice. I found myself struggling at times to write a review for this movie. Excellent films often do that for me. Just go see it. It's a near classic film that is a must-see. Matt Dillon has rarely been better9.6/10

From director Gus Van Sant (My Own Private Idaho, Good Will Hunting), I am sure that I tried of few minutes of this film and got bored, but having remembered the title for so long I was definitely willing to give it more of a chance. Basically highly suspicious Bob Hughes (Matt Dillon) and his wife Dianne (Kelly Lynch) are drug addicts, and are love doing various pharmaceutical drugs, like dilaudid, morphine and cocaine, and keep their habit going they and another couple often steal from pharmacies. They are aware a police officer is getting too close for comfort for them, so they move their operation to another town, but it isn't long after doing this that one of the crew overdoses and dies. They unintentionally have checked into a hotel where a sheriff's convention is taking place, but they do have to move the body from out of the hotel room to into their car, they narrowly avoid getting caught doing this. Believing his warnings is what caused the incident Bob decides he does need help, but he is too scared to join any methadone or any kind of drug eliminating program. Worse comes when junkies he saw earlier ambush his apartment and try to score drugs, and having decided to go straight he doesn't have anything for them to take, so they beat up and then shoot him, but in the end he lives long enough for an ambulance to take him away. Also starring James Remar as Gentry, James Le Gros as Rick, Heather Graham as Nadine, Beah Richards as Drug Counselor, Grace Zabriskie as Bob's Mother and Max Perlich as David. Dillon does well as the junkie who finds it very difficult to let go of his addiction and then later to even try to kick it, I admit I didn't feel as enraptured in this story like I did with Trainspotting, but the drug taking culture is definitely emphasised, not in a judgemental way, and there is interesting provocative material, so all in all it is a worthwhile drama. Very good!

Directed by Gus Van Sant, who is credited here as Gus Van Sant, Jr. Matt Dillon heads A group of drug users(Future Ally McBeal star James Le Gros) the gorgeous Heather Graham , and Kelly Lynch as Dillons' wife. It's set in 1971 which the production designers have done a great job in recreating the past. The title refers to Dillon by robbing drug stores to finance their habit, Following a series of near misses and run ins with determined Cop James Remar, Dillon's character is very superstitious and eventually his luck runs out and eventually seeks rehabilitation Noted Author of 'Naked Lunch' William Burroughs also stars as a former Priest and addict who befriends Dillon during his solace spent during detox.