Essay Example on My Own Private Idaho: Keanu Reeves' Journey for Identity

The movie "My Own Private Idaho," directed by Gus Van Sant and produced by Laurie Parker in 1991(D'Angelo, 2015). The movie is about two hustlers, Mike Waters and Scott Favor (Keanu Reeves), whose lives are defined by desperation and the need to seek self-identity. The two characters are faced with difficulties in their lives, an element that forces them to engage in prostitution. This paper provides a detailed review of Keanu Reeves identified as Scott favor in the film

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At the start of the film, Scott (Keanu Reeves) is presented as a handsome individual with a high level of self-assurance, manners, and flawless preppie. Reeves is a calm bisexual and who maneuvers his day-to-day operations in a carefully planned program. Being from a wealthy family where his dad is the mayor of the city, he is eligible to inherit the wealth (D'Angelo, 2015). However is a dramatic and cunning individual who ends up being a hustler, not because it is a must for him, but because he wants to satisfy the personal ego, to irritate his dad, and attain independence when it comes to managing his own money. Reeves is quite rough and demanding when it comes to achieving his resolution, which is becoming a community leader and even the mayor someday.

In trying to achieve his independence, Reeves demonstrates the character of a rebel when he goes against the will of his political father. He is young and wild, who believes his resolutions are always right. Reeves does not believe that he can stay at home and wait for inheritance since his family is rich (D'Angelo, 2015). He wants to go out and create a path to his journey and a lifestyle that is different and unique from his dad's. Reeves does not want to live under his father's shadow. The strong will to have a unique life leads him to Portland streets, where he takes up the vocation of a gay prostitute. In achieving his resolution, Reeves seeks guidance from Bob Pigeon but ends up undermine him too.

It is during the vocation that he meets a fellow hustler, Mike. Reeves is a hypocrite and a manipulative individual, as demonstrated from his relationship with Mike. Scott (Reeves) pretends to be the only guy who shows concern to Mike anytime he needs him. As a result, Reeves develops a strong friendship with Mike as the movie continues. It is evident when he carries the sleepy Mike from the house, shelters him with his coat, and leaves him on the residential grass (D'Angelo, 2015). Reeves also agrees to help him find his long-lost mum, who was last seen in Idaho. The high level of concern demonstrated by Reeves makes Mike develop a romantic relationship with him. Reeves's hypocrisy is revealed when he admits to Mike that he is basically straight and only engages in homosexuality to earn money. Reeves heart-breaks Mike by marrying a girl in Italy.

Though he has made people believe he is gay, Reeve is a hypocrite who is just experimenting with a lifestyle he knows he can quit the moment his dad dies. Reeves is only involved in prostitution as he awaits his big inheritance, a point he will abandon his youthful immoral behavior and join the high society level. The film demonstrates Reeves as a manipulative, rebellious, and oppressive individual who does mind other people's feelings. His behavior is unpredictable.

Reference

D'Angelo, M. (2015, October 7). Gus Van Sant's Uneven career took off with the Half-great My Own Private Idaho. Film. https://film.avclub.com/gus-van-sant-s-uneven-career-took-off-with-the-half-gre-1798185123