In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry IV,” Mike Waters is a gay hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor is the rebellious son of a mayor. Together, the two travel from Portland, Oregon to Idaho and finally to the coast of Italy in a quest to find Mike’s estranged mother. Along the way they turn tricks for money and drugs, eventually attracting the attention of a wealthy benefactor and sexual deviant.
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Credits: TheMovieDb.

Film Cast:

• Michael “Mike” Waters: River Phoenix
• Scott Favor: Keanu Reeves
• Richard Waters: James Russo
• Bob Pigeon: William Richert
• Gary: Rodney Harvey
• Carmella: Chiara Caselli
• Digger: Michael Parker
• Denise: Jessie Thomas
• Budd: Flea
• Alena: Grace Zabriskie
• Jack Favor: Tom Troupe
• Hans: Udo Kier
• Jane Lightwork: Sally Curtice
• Walt: Robert Lee Pitchlynn
• Daddy Carroll: Mickey Cottrell
• Wade: Wade Evans
• Coverboy: Matthew Ebert
• Coverboy: Tom Cramer
• Sharon Waters: Vana O’Brien
• Cafe Kid: Shaun Jordan
• Coverboy / Cafe Kid: Scott Patrick Green
• Cafe Kid: Shawn Wight
• Bad George: George Conner
• Indian Cop: Oliver Kirk
• Dirtman: Stanley Hainsworth
• Baby Mike: Joshua Halladay
• Little Richard: Douglas Tollenen
• Hotel Manager: Steven Clark Pachosa
• Disco Manager: Lannie Swerdlow
• Rock Promoter: Wally Gaarsland
• Rock Promoter: Bryan Wilson
• Rock Promoter: Mark Weaver
• Rock Promoter: Conrad ‘Bud’ Montgomery
• Cop: Pat Patterson
• Cop: Steve Vernelson
• Cop: Mike Cascadden
• Mayor’s Aid: Eric Hull
• Minister: James A. Arling
• Airline Clerk: Jim Caviezel
• Stewardess: Ana Cavinato
• Lounge Hostess: Melanie Mosely
• Carl: Greg Murphy
• Yuppie at Jake’s: David Reppinhagen
• Himself: Tiger Warren
• Italian Street Boy: Massimo Di Cataldo
• Italian Street Boy: Robert Egon
• Italian Street Boy: Paolo Baiocco
• Mike’s Italian Client: Mario Stracciarolo
• Man Behind Hotel Counter (uncredited): Gus Van Sant
• Italian Street Boy: Pao Pei Andreoli

Film Crew:

• Thanks: James L. Brooks
• Producer: Laurie Parker
• Costume Design: Beatrix Aruna Pasztor
• Second Assistant Director: David Minkowski
• Director: Gus Van Sant
• Director of Photography: John J. Campbell
• Line Producer: Anthony Brand
• Original Music Composer: Bill Stafford
• Additional Still Photographer: Eric Alan Edwards
• Editor: Curtiss Clayton
• Production Design: David Brisbin
• Makeup Artist: Gina Monaci
• Thanks: Nick Wechsler
• Set Decoration: Missy Stewart
• Additional Still Photographer: Scott Patrick Green
• Assistant Editor: Amy E. Duddleston
• Thanks: Donna L. Bascom
• Scenic Artist: Anne Hyvarinen
• Sound Editor: Peter Appleton
• Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Paul A. Sharpe
• Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Bill Sheppard
• Construction Coordinator: Charles Armstrong
• Thanks: Solomon J. LeFlore
• Art Direction: Kenneth Hardy
• Supervising Sound Editor: Kelley Baker
• Sound Editor: Patrick Winters
• Assistant Director: Phred Palmer
• Thanks: Camela Galano
• Casting Associate: Sandy Collister
• Legal Services: Ira Schreck
• Production Coordinator: Allesandra Ravenna
• Craft Service: Sally Parker
• Visual Effects Coordinator: Tom Arndt
• Sound Editor: Michael F. Newman

Movie Reviews:

• WilsonWatches: Shakespeare meets street hustlers in a plot loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s Henry IV part 1, Henry IV part 2 & Henry V. The film is both humorous and profound with River Phoenix’s (Mike) shining & Keanu Reeves (Scott) also starring alongside some very memorable characters (Hans, Bob).

  I think it’s probably of the best LGBT Films/ depictions of LGBT characters in film, & deservedly considered a cult classic. The offbeat film’s authentic style coupled with its compelling, drifting story, make My own Private Idaho a must watch nearly 30 years after release.