Regie:
Gus Van SantBesetzung:
River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, James Russo, William Richert, Rodney Harvey, Flea, Grace Zabriskie, Udo Kier, Mickey Cottrell, James Caviezel, Michael Parker (mehr)Inhalte(1)
River Phoenix und Keanu Reeves spielen in My Private Idaho zwei Stricher, die auf ihrem ausgesprochen kurvigen Lebensweg Freunde werden und das Abenteuer suchen. Phoenix ist Mike, ein Strichjunge mit krankhaftem Schlafdrang, der in idyllischen Kindheitserinnerungen schwelgt und unbedingt seine Mutter wiederfinden will. Reeves ist der reiche Ausreißer Scott, der einen ganz persönlichen “Kreuzzug” führt, um den Sinn des Lebens zu erforschen – letztlich wartet er auf den Tag, an dem er das Vermögen seines Vaters erbt. Gemeinsam irren sie durch eine bizarre Welt freigiebiger Fremder und befremdlicher Abenteuer. Auf ihrer Odyssee lernen sie einander besser verstehen und finden ihren Platz in der Welt – denn das Leben lehrt sie Erfahrungen, die man nur unterwegs machen kann. (Verleiher-Text)
(mehr)Kritiken (2)
I was watching a series of movies with Keanu Reeves, wondering where else he could really knock me down. This one would do. I believe that Gus Van Sant created a harsh story of two boys who sell their bodies on the street. It was really a concert of two actors. However, River Phoenix is so sleazy it makes you sick. He nods off at the best moment, due to his character’s disease called narcolepsy. He simply falls into a coma out of sudden and sleeps. Keanu then talks to him. It almost feels as if during these moments he has the best conversations with his movie brother. He explains everything to him, puts him away somewhere in the bushes and picks him up the next day. In the better scenario the brother manages to get home on his own. Sure, that’s what brothers usually do. Gus Van Sant shoots rough stories, but it’s rarely my cup of tea. This one wasn’t.
()
This movie captivated me with its dirty, yet aesthetically interesting approach. And of course, it is a showcase of two young actors, where one had the luck to continue their career while the other was cut short. Well, he did have a hand in it himself. However, River Phoenix delivers a brilliant performance here.
()