Drugstore Cowboy
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| Drugstore Cowboy | |
|---|---|
| Name | Drugstore Cowboy |
| Director | Gus Van Sant |
| Producer | Nick Wechsler, Karen Murphy |
| Writer | Gus Van Sant, Daniel Yost |
| Starring | Matt Dillon, Kelly Lynch, James Le Gros, Heather Graham, Max Perlich |
| Music | Elliot Goldenthal |
| Cinematography | Robert Yeoman |
| Editing | Curtiss Clayton, Mary Bauer |
| Studio | Avenue Pictures |
| Released | October 6, 1989 |
| Runtime | 100 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2.5 million |
| Gross | $4.7 million |
Drugstore Cowboy is a 1989 American crime drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Gus Van Sant and Daniel Yost, based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by James Fogle. The film stars Matt Dillon as the leader of a group of drug addicts and thieves who travel across the Pacific Northwest, including Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington, in search of their next fix. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters, including a pharmacist played by James Remar and a nurse played by Kelly Lynch, who works at a hospital in Portland. The film features a soundtrack composed by Elliot Goldenthal, with contributions from The Pogues and Joe Cocker.
Plot
The film follows the story of Bob Hughes (played by Matt Dillon), a drug addict who leads a group of thieves and addicts on a series of heists across the Pacific Northwest. The group, which includes Rick (played by James Le Gros), Nadia (played by Heather Graham), and David (played by Max Perlich), targets pharmacies and hospitals in search of prescription medication and other narcotics. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters, including a police officer played by William S. Burroughs and a social worker played by Grace Zabriskie, who works for a non-profit organization in Seattle. The group's activities eventually attract the attention of the FBI, led by Agent Gentry (played by James Remar), who is determined to bring them to justice. The film also features appearances by Tom Troupe and Eric Hull, and was filmed on location in Oregon and Washington.
Characters
The film features a cast of complex and nuanced characters, including Bob Hughes (played by Matt Dillon), the leader of the group, and Diane (played by Kelly Lynch), a nurse who becomes involved with Bob. The group also includes Rick (played by James Le Gros), Nadia (played by Heather Graham), and David (played by Max Perlich), each of whom brings their own unique perspective and motivations to the story. The film also features appearances by William S. Burroughs as a police officer and Grace Zabriskie as a social worker, who works for a non-profit organization in Seattle. The characters in the film are influenced by the works of William S. Burroughs and Hunter S. Thompson, and the film's soundtrack features music by The Pogues and Joe Cocker.
Production
The film was directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Gus Van Sant and Daniel Yost, based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by James Fogle. The film was produced by Nick Wechsler and Karen Murphy, and features a soundtrack composed by Elliot Goldenthal. The film was shot on location in Oregon and Washington, and features a cast of actors from the United States and Canada, including Matt Dillon, Kelly Lynch, and James Le Gros. The film's cinematography was handled by Robert Yeoman, who also worked on Gus Van Sant's My Own Private Idaho and Good Will Hunting. The film's editing was handled by Curtiss Clayton and Mary Bauer, who also worked on Gus Van Sant's To Die For.
Release
The film was released on October 6, 1989, and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. The film received positive reviews from critics, including Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, who praised the film's direction and performances. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $4.7 million at the box office on a budget of $2.5 million. The film has since become a cult classic, and is widely regarded as one of the best films of the 1980s. The film is available on DVD and Blu-ray from Avenue Pictures and Universal Pictures, and has been screened at film festivals around the world, including the Sundance Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.
Reception
The film received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many critics praising the film's direction and performances. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 4 out of 4 stars, praising the film's realism and authenticity. Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune also praised the film, noting that it was one of the best films of the year. The film holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The film has also been recognized by the National Board of Review, which named it one of the top 10 films of 1989. The film's success can be attributed to the works of Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, who have also explored themes of crime and addiction in their films.
Themes
The film explores a number of themes, including addiction, crime, and redemption. The film's portrayal of drug addiction is particularly notable, as it presents a realistic and unflinching look at the effects of substance abuse on individuals and society. The film also explores the theme of crime and punishment, as the characters navigate a world of law enforcement and judicial systems. The film's use of symbolism and metaphor adds depth and complexity to the story, and the film's soundtrack features music by The Pogues and Joe Cocker that reflects the film's themes and tone. The film's exploration of redemption is also notable, as the characters struggle to overcome their addictions and find a path towards recovery and forgiveness. The film's themes are influenced by the works of William S. Burroughs and Hunter S. Thompson, and the film's direction is reminiscent of the works of Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola.