My Own Private Idaho (1991)

Two best friends living on the streets of Portland as hustlers embark on a journey of self discovery and find their relationship stumbling along the way. (IMDb)

Artistically, it’s a marvel, with an abundance of creative captures: The talking magazine covers, the sex motion-picture-stills, the stunning nature time-lapses, the bar shot half indoors, half window reflection. Story-wise, it’s a mixed bag: The outsider characters are unique and refreshing (Phoenix shines), but the narrative is choppy and often hard to follow. The Shakespearean second act drags, but the separation of Mike and Scott in the third act is poignant (see the contrasting funerals).

7/10 (Good)