MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO (1991)
From Living for the Cinema by Geoff Gershon
June 13, 2026 · 18 min · Season 6 · Episode 8
About this episode
The episode discusses the film 'My Own Private Idaho' and its themes of friendship and self-discovery.
Mike (River Phoenix) and Scott (Keanu Reeves) are hustlers working their way around Portland trying to make ends meet, who are also best friends. Together they hit the road to Idaho AND Italy on a journey of self-discovery while Mike tries to find his mother whom he hasn't seen in years. This stirring comedy/drama road movie was written and directed by Oscar-nominee Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk, Drugstore Cowboy) early in his career and was not only considered a breakthro...
People in this episode
Host: Geoff Gershon
Topics covered
- self-discovery
- friendship
- road movie
- hustling
- family
- comedy/drama
Keywords
- My Own Private Idaho
- River Phoenix
- Keanu Reeves
- Gus Van Sant
- road movie
- self-discovery
- hustlers
- Portland
- Idaho
- Italy
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO, Good Will Hunting, Milk, Drugstore Cowboy
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