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The death of 23-year-old River Phoenix in 1993 is still considered a tragedy by many. Every time a young actor dies there are whispers and comparisons to Phoenix’s death.
He was going places.
He had a successful film career, had been praised by critics and was nominated for an Academy Award.
When he fell face first to the ground and died of a drug overdose outside of Johnny Depp’s nightclub on the morning of Oct. 31, he became somewhat of a legend.
He died a sudden and undignified death on a Hollywood sidewalk before he even got the chance to star in the hit film “Interview With a Vampire.” And even in 2008 he lives on through family (his brother, actor Joaquin Phoenix, who called 911 outside of the nightclub on the night of his death), music (many musicians dedicated and wrote songs about the late actor) and the films he starred in before his untimely death.
One of his most remembered films should be Gus Van Sant’s 1991 film “My Own Private Idaho.”
“My Own Private Idaho” stars Phoenix as Mike, a narcoleptic male prostitute living in the Northwest. His love interest, Scott (Keanu Reeves), is a fellow hustler who says the situation is only temporary. Scott comes from a rich family and only lives the lifestyle to embarrass his prominent father.
Though Reeves is a notoriously bad actor who also happens to be notoriously hot, he really works in this role. The reason that all of the Reeves haters out there can’t stand his acting are actually many of the reasons he works so well as Scott. He is cold, aloof and a little dead in the eyes.
His character may service men for money, but he claims that he is not gay, thus can never really love his narcoleptic friend Mike.
Along with Phoenix and Reeves, an interesting cast of characters fills the Portland streets: Bob, the older and wiser homeless man, Bud (Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) his worshipping follower, and Hans, a generous customer played by eccentric actor Udo Kier.
The situations portrayed in “My Own Private Idaho” may not be things that most people can relate to, but the sensitive portrayal Phoenix gives of a young man’s search for his home is touching. There is a mix of sadness and comedy that not many films can match, but Van Sant and Phoenix have the strength to pull it off.
“My Own Private Idaho” is shocking to a general audience, but putting in the time and patience is well worth the reward.
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