My Own Private Idaho (1991)

River Phoenix gives a memorable performance as a young male prostitute slacker named Mike who suffers from narcolepsy.  Mike is in search for his mother.  He befriends another male prostitute named Scott played by Keanu Reeves who is revolting against his rich family.   Gus Van Sant, the writer and director, combines elements of Shakespeare's Henry IV and inspirations from real street kids living in Portland.  I enjoyed many aspects of this film but ultimately felt detached from it.  I didn't find Mike's journey that rewarding and Keanu Reeves's story, while more interesting, never made much sense to me.  Reeves isn't strong enough of an actor to make me understand his inner conflict.  That's not to say it's a bad film, Van Sant proves how talented he is in so many ways, and you have to applaud the risk of even making such a daring film.  Grade: B