My Own Private Idaho Themes
My Own Private Idaho is the final film in Gus Van Sant’s unofficial trilogy. Its proceedings were; Mala Noche (1986) and Drugstore Cowboy (1989), all of which were set in his home terrain or Portland and the Pacific Northwest. The “trilogy” deals with the themes of illicit love and self-destructive impulses, weather it’s the pursuit of a doomed romance or the grim chasm of drug addiction and ill-advised sex. Gus went on to film many contracted films like Good Will Hunting (1997) and To Die For (1995), though many agree these lacked the soul and commitment of his under-funded unconventional love stories.
River Phoenix’s character, Mike Waters is first seen passing out in the middle of a highway in the middle of Idaho, due to his narcolepsy. …show more content…
But, I don’t know.. Just closer. I don’t know.”
“I only have sex with a guy for money”
“Yeah I know...”
“I mean, two guys can’t love each other.”
“Yeah.. well, I dunno. I mean … for me… I could love someone even if I, you know, wasn’t paid for it. I love you, and you don’t pay me.”
The final scene of the movie is centered around Scott’s story - and the way he betrays himself as he ascends back into high society. The last scene covers two funerals in the same place at the same time. In the homeless hustler “family” Mike and Scott are drawn to an eccentric mid 40’s coke head named Bob Pigeon. Bob acts as the head of the patriarchy and embodies a father figure to the derailed youth that inhabit his abandoned building complex. Bob shows he really cares for the two boys and his nurture and love is visible throughout the story. After Mike and Scott return from Italy (Mike, still motherless, and Scott now carrying a woman on his arm) both Bob Pigeon and Scott’s father have passed away. Mike and the other hustlers hold a memorial in the park for Bob, playing music and dancing in a drug fueled sombre send off. They chant his name in an off-key melody accompanied by a harcordian. Across the park, Scott, the millionaire, stands with his, now, wife; wearing a black suit, slicked back hair, and a stone cold expression. Scott and Mike are watching each other from afar. He has carelessly lost his way, as he stands in front of
River Phoenix’s character, Mike Waters is first seen passing out in the middle of a highway in the middle of Idaho, due to his narcolepsy. …show more content…
But, I don’t know.. Just closer. I don’t know.”
“I only have sex with a guy for money”
“Yeah I know...”
“I mean, two guys can’t love each other.”
“Yeah.. well, I dunno. I mean … for me… I could love someone even if I, you know, wasn’t paid for it. I love you, and you don’t pay me.”
The final scene of the movie is centered around Scott’s story - and the way he betrays himself as he ascends back into high society. The last scene covers two funerals in the same place at the same time. In the homeless hustler “family” Mike and Scott are drawn to an eccentric mid 40’s coke head named Bob Pigeon. Bob acts as the head of the patriarchy and embodies a father figure to the derailed youth that inhabit his abandoned building complex. Bob shows he really cares for the two boys and his nurture and love is visible throughout the story. After Mike and Scott return from Italy (Mike, still motherless, and Scott now carrying a woman on his arm) both Bob Pigeon and Scott’s father have passed away. Mike and the other hustlers hold a memorial in the park for Bob, playing music and dancing in a drug fueled sombre send off. They chant his name in an off-key melody accompanied by a harcordian. Across the park, Scott, the millionaire, stands with his, now, wife; wearing a black suit, slicked back hair, and a stone cold expression. Scott and Mike are watching each other from afar. He has carelessly lost his way, as he stands in front of