just watch it!

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

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.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Having liked/loved some of Gus Van Sant's other work (i.e. 'Good Will Hunting'), as someone who thinks that Keanu Reeves has given good performances in his career and who absolutely adores River Phoenix in 'Stand By Me' (one of the greatest child performances ever to me), as well as being intrigued by the story's themes, 'My Own Private Idaho' quickly went on my ever growing "to see" list.Finally seeing 'My Own Private Idaho' was well worth the wait and watch. It is definitely understandable as to why it won't click, and hasn't done, with some, it is a very love it or hate it film and has its uneven moments. However it is even easier to see why people find so appealing about it, namely the acting, how the film looks and how the themes are dealt with.Getting the faults out of the way, 'My Own Private Idaho's' biggest fault is the middle act. Here the film does meander, with some dull stretches and narratively it becomes less cohesive. The Shakespearean dialogue is sometimes clever and funny, but too often it also jars and comes over clumsily.However, 'My Own Private Idaho' is filled with exquisite images, the cinematography being both dream-like and gritty and the scenery equally to die for. Van Sant's direction also creates this hypnotising dream-like effect to the visuals and how the story is told. The music is hauntingly downbeat and full of pathos.'My Own Private Idaho's' script is not perfect, but much of it is poignant and thoughtful. Despite a meandering middle act, much of the story makes the most of its daring themes and how they're dealt with ensures that the film is as relevant and resonant today as it was 26 years ago. It's told gently, but also with a grit and pathos that makes the film unsettling and moving.Keanu Reeves' performance has been criticised, personally belong in the camp who thinks that he gives one of his better and more natural performances that breaks the mould. There is no doubting however that River Phoenix's is infinitely better, an extraordinary turn that's even better than that in 'Stand By Me' and showed potential for him to be one of the finest actors of his generation if he had not died so tragically so young. They are supported by an electric supporting cast, riotous William Richert and creepy Udo Kier being the scene stealers.Overall, not for everybody but for me despite its imperfections there was a lot to admire here. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Such an excellent film, River giving an incredible performance and Keanu showing he is a truly well rounded talent. The bleakness of the road is a wonderful representation of life itself and the campfire scene is frankly heartbreaking.The improvisation allowed by the director allows the film to really be shaped by the actors and their vision of the movie and characters dwelling inside it, and makes for a wonderful experience cultivated from all of the cast and crew.Will be watching again soon!

It really doesn't seem 25 years ago that I first wondered at this beautiful piece of cinema. Time has been kind to it. It's even more impressive now. Its Shakespearean element seems to lift it out of a particular era, turning it into the stuff classics are made of.It is poetic, idiosyncratic work, simultaneously cool/objective and passionate/subjective, a remarkable achievement. The famous campfire scene between River Phoenix's Mike and Keanu Reeves' Scott is heartrending. The powerful confrontation between Phoenix and James Russo as Mike's brother is equally memorable. The high passions running in both section are counterpointed by the inscrutability of Reeves'face. His charisma has never been put to better use.On this second viewing, I was struck by Beatrix Aruna Pasztor's superb costume designs. They help create the film's air of timelessness.My feeling is that this movie will continue to be held, rightly, in very high esteem for a long, long time to come.

I don't know why James Franco would consider this a favorite movie of his? It is rubbish!The storyline was hard to follow and too fast for me to understand what is going on with the characters Mike and Scott. It was just all over the place, all I know is River Phoneix's character had necropsy and a poor hustler who just thinks of his mother in his dreams. With Keanu Reeve's character, he just appears as a presidents son and hangs out with the homeless bucks! I wish I could have fallen the storyline and more of the characters better because I would be happy to understand what really is happening. Glad I only saw 30 minutes of the movie then wasting my time watching an hour of it!