Gus Van Sant's Lost Boys

I don’t know that a filmmaker as unpredictable as Gus Van Sant has a signature “Gus Van Sant film.” How does one compare the Academy Award-winning feel-good hit Good Will Hunting with the existential downer Gerry (well, they both feature Matt Damon and an Affleck brother)? How do you square a shot-for-shot Psycho remake with something as original as his debut Mala Noche? How different can two biopics be, as Van Sant directed Milk-a Sean Penn-led prestige picture with an all-star cast-and the grungy, lo-fi pseudo-Kurt Cobain flick Last Days?
If Van Sant does have a film that somehow captures the essence of his work, then My Own Private Idaho exhibits many of those qualities. It’s a patchwork of high art and underground pop culture influences (from Shakespeare to Paul Morrissey), a marriage of experimental style and star power, a subversion of genre, and a matter-of-fact, non-sensationalist example of New Queer Cinema. The film also arguably crystallised Van Sant’s fascination with, and exploration of, masculinity in crisis-particularly dazed young men facing an uncertain, often uncaring world. Van Sant’s “Lost Boys” are one of modern cinema’s most intriguing and ongoing, if sporadic, projects. And through the tragic beauty and talent of River Phoenix, My Own Private Idaho presents a figurehead for Van Sant’s Lost Boys.
If you’ve seen Van Sant’s latest, “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot,” then you’ve witnessed the talent of Joaquin Phoenix. While you’re here, watch Fandor’s latest videos, like The Pure and Singular Magic of Robin Williams, “The Dark Knight” Still Shines Bright, and Purring and Whirring with Paul Verhoeven.

[@Nominay]

River's performance is so good that it's difficult to watch because of how real it seems.

[@joannehersom2866]

River gave the most beautiful performance in this film, still so sad, even nearly 25 years later that he passed away :-(

[@sashabrown1796]

It will be heartbreaking until no one from the 80's and 90's is left to remember him, and everything as it was.

[@Displ4c]

I love you, and you don’t pay me.

[@mikaelgonzales6940]

😭😭😭

[@robertopascua4478]

I'm crying

[@drdoofenstock5559]

Such a sad scene dam

[@trevclark9840]

That scene just crushes me. River Phoenix goes beyond acting in that scene with such a sense of realness. You can imagine River and Keanu having that same conversation in real life. That's how good it is. I had that conversation with my best friend in real life. It left a mark on my heart.

[@padfootparrish4539]

one of my favourite movie scenes of all time

[@lendahandful]

This film really grew on me. I had a fairly neutral reception of it at first but the more I think about it, the more I realize its genius.

[@arminvanbuuren883]

Van sant's films have this unforgettable atmosphere. Every time I see a movie of his it's like coming back home.

[@QueenK88]

Underrated film

[@dawsonkaiser3598]

Gus Van Sant is a genius for sure one of my favorite filmmakers

[@ezeztztztz]

What a weird movie this is,it's the only film I've seen of rivers except for his cameo in Indiana jones,but jeez he absolutely carries this whole movie by himself absolutely no doubt about that from start to finish,it really is a mezmerising study of acting that he delivers here and it looks so effortless for him,you just cannot keep your eyes of him,the camera loves him and not just because of his stunning beauty,this guy was the real deal.

[@SmallvillenerdTwo]

1:11 very haunting shot of Mike lying on the pavement unconscious when you realize this is exactly how River's life ended

[@Mrraugut]

The video mentions the same at 4:36.

[@rosimeridasilva7836]

I miss you my beautiful River😥💔🌹

[@a100enbajada7]

Beautifuky written essay, thanks for giving one of my favorite movies a space here

[@RexEisenHaxival]

Bravo! This was just the analysis I was hoping to find for such an emotional film.

[@ninogogiahsvili]

such a nicely done video. thank you

[@trevclark9840]

Great essay. Poignant, captivating and very well-stated.

[@existentialdread3114]

the screenplay confirms that it was scott who drove at the end edit: god, this comment was A YEAR AGO, folks. my source came from a book called The Road Movie Book, written by Steven Cohan and Ina Rae Hark, it's a study about the road trip genre. they stated there that van sant originally intended for scott to pick up mike, they referenced van sant there. but a reply to my comment said otherwise! hope this clears up my comment, but apparently it's a hoax! there is also a literal published book of the sceenplay, if you want to check it out. it has exclusive interviews, backstories of the casting, well-designed quirky pages with the photos of the cast on set, etc. very fun read. it's still on amazon, i think!

[@mellojello43]

omg im so glad it is thanks

[@vavacadoz]

Link?

[@jemenfous9343]

this is not true, Gus Van Sant himself said that it was in fact Mike’s brother who picked him up... (source: IMDB). Direct quote from IMDB: “A short scene was cut from the end. It showed that the driver of the car that picked up Mike was his brother, and that Mike would be safe with his family. ‘I cut that end bit,’ Gus Van Sant says, ‘for a couple of reasons. First, it really tied everything up in a nice little bow. I think it works much better with the ambiguity. Second, I realized in editing, that the movie was about making your own families, not being tied to the one you're born with, and Mike's brother had been portrayed as kind of a dick, so maybe ending up with his family isn't for the best.’” The screenplay version saying that Scott is driving the car is inaccurate unfortunately :(

[@rememberzack4]

Not true at all.

[@existentialdread3114]

Aw, that's a bummer! I've been reading The Road Movie Book, which is a study on the American road trip genre, and I found out the bit about Scott at the end there. It had referenced a source, so I trusted it. That's too bad and now my heart aches.

[@eliwasserman705]

First One to say I love Gus Van Sant's movies.

[@burbex]

Second - I thought this was gonna be a mashup of Lost Boys

[@L3i6HSin63R]

now there's a thought... Good Will Vamping?

[@breejames6323]

Burbex same 😂😂

[@Iceis_Phoenix]

Timeless 💝

[@jkws2007]

fantastic

[@katherenewedic8076]

reflects so much of what portland was/ is reminds me of boys I knew

[@ChopinIsMyBestFriend]

you really made me think Gus Vant Sant directed The Lost Boys.

[@moviemaniac7945]

To me I think at the time River took one of the biggest risks in Hollywood history taking this part in 1992 wen gays were only just peeping out the closet .he boldly took it an with it he made it his own an he was phenomenal in it.i don't think anyone in the world could have done it better an thats because of who an wat river phoenix brought to the table.he had somethingthat set him apart from anyone in Hollywood. LeonardoDicaprio idolised him.An people go on about Leonardo Di Caprio not being wear he is today if River had survived. Did you no that the 3 movies Leo would do after River died were all actually Rivers roles an wen you look at how Leo an also Christian Slater looked they were definitely told to look as near to River as they could they definitelygot the hair correct. with Christian Slater in "Interview with a vampire " that was Rivers it was just a small role. getting back to the Leo roles he was supposed to do "This Boys life" & "The Basketball diary's" was a movie River was looking forward to doing. An finally James Cameron only had one person in mind to play Jack in Titanic an that was River too.you can tell instantly wen you watch it was made for him!!! Weather he'd of took it would of been a different matter .River loved to do independent movies an push himself. I have so much knowledge on him but I'll leave it there .He was my generations James Dean

[@deewithlove0x]

He took the role in 1990** River was an absolute badass

[@brabbit3389]

I’m guessing Mike was actually River

[@lemondie2125]

...what does this even mean? Can you explain...

[@brabbit3389]

@@lemondie2125 Mike is River’s character name but I think he wasn’t really playing a character, just playing himself- this is obviously an exaggeration but there seems to be so much of himself in the character Mike - just a great actor

[@lemondie2125]

@@brabbit3389 Oooo! Yeah I totally see it! River did add so much to the characters back story and all-so in a way it was River! A true talent!

[@stephenfermoyle4578]

GREAT EDIT

[@LarryAlfadanzsoad]

you are great

[@MDGOOM]

Can you do about Richard Linklater?

[@L3i6HSin63R]

definitely plan to one day!

[@CapitanFreyes]

I fucking love you Fandor (and all the people behind it)

[@user-xf9cb2st6y]

Great video!

[@AnonymousAccount514]

This movie was so sad….

[@josecristovamdasilvafilhoa1385]

Esses vídeos me despedaçam... por isso evito ver ou ouvir etc... River Phoenix forever!

[@miguelfranciscosoares6745]

Mesmo! Sinto tbm isso

[@boyblob]

Appreciate the video. A few weird comments in the comments section though. Xavier not digging the acting (cliche? I understand being critical, but huh, that seems off). Some other dude calling the film diabolical, whatever the poster Rasputin is on about, and then someone spreading conspiracies about murder when we all know that sadly River simply OD'd and nothing suggests otherwise. Like what's going on here lol?

[@juliethompson5301]

I love this love love love it ❤️💕

[@lifewriter7455]

River Phoenix 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@jesseespinozajr8038]

Pls help me find the complete set of this film. Pls thanks

[@AnastassiaHaynes]

1. Search "My Own Private Idaho google drive" 2. Select first link (standbyphoenix on Tumblr) 3. Go to correct google drive folder listed 4. Enjoy

[@sophia8677]

I just wanna know who dragged him away in the car

[@sharpie1201]

It was his brother

[@sawlfo]

i miss fandor!!

[@gabrielcavalcantegonzagaal8331]

RIVER PHOENIX WAS MURDERED IN VIPER ROOM. THIS MOVIE LOST BOYS WITH RIVER WAS THE BEST ACTION FROM HIS . IN 1991 HE HAS 21 YEARS WHEN THAT MOVIE GAVE MANY CONGRATULATIONS AND OTHERS EXCELLENT CRITICALS IN MANY FESTIVALS.

[@alyssaspecial8293]

you mean in my own private Idaho?

[@inceletvcom]

what you mean by "he was murdered"

[@beautifulloly]

@@inceletvcom some people think he drank a poisoned beverage

[@pyt7778]

Audrey Mm Dont thin it, he WAS given a lethal drink by John Frusciante, that’s how River died. The fact that Frusciante was never held accountable, is disgraceful. River could have been saved if help was called before 25 minutes, and if Joaquin hadn’t lied to the paramedic!

[@bradc7254]

So wait what is the name of the film? Is it lost boys? Im having trouble finding a place to watch it

[@charmainelim9268]

the film is called my own private idaho

[@NurNur-nh5er]

This film My Own Private Idaho is so diabolical.

[@pyt7778]

That’s your opinion! I didn’t like it much at first but the more I watched it, the more I appreciated it as the work of art it is

[@bittmanbobby]

I wish Gus would have just stuck to the story instead of the whole Shakespeare crap

[@xaviermccloud4586]

It's crazy to me how this type of "cliche" shit acting, none realistic, realistic scenario movies are "good" to people.