Mikey Waters

Last updated
Michael Waters
My Own Private Idaho character
Mike Waters - My Own Private Idaho.png
River Phoenix as Mike Waters in My Own Private Idaho
First appearance
Last appearance
Created by Gus Van Sant
Portrayed by River Phoenix
Joshua Halladay (baby)
In-universe information
Full nameMichael Waters
Nickname
  • Mike
  • Mikey
Occupation Male prostitute
RelativesSharon Waters (mother)
Richard Waters (father; older brother)
Nationality American
Residence Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Michael Waters is a fictional character in Gus Van Sant's My Own Private Idaho , portrayed by River Phoenix.

Contents

He is a sensitive, homeless teenage hustler who suffers from narcolepsy, directly foiling his best friend, Scott Favor (Keanu Reeves), a type-A personality hustler from a rich, influential family. A vagabond searching for his mother, Mike proclaims himself a "connoisseur of roads" because he has been "tasting roads all [his] life." [1]

Mikey remains one of the defining characters of New Queer Cinema and, due to the impressive critical reception, is a crucial role in River Phoenix's success and influence as an actor. For example, Eric Alan Edwards, one of the film's directors of photography, said that Phoenix –who died 25 months after the film was released –"really wore the role" because "he looked like a street kid." [2]

Immediate critical interpretation

River Phoenix's critically acclaimed performance as gay hustler Mikey Waters helped bring queer cinema to a broader audience. River Phoenix.png
River Phoenix's critically acclaimed performance as gay hustler Mikey Waters helped bring queer cinema to a broader audience.

Roger Ebert characterizes Mikey as someone who "wants...love and by love what he really means is someone to hold him and care for him. He was deeply damaged as a child, and now he seeks shelter; it is a matter of indifference whether he finds it with a man or a woman." [3] The New York Times called Mikey "good-looking, none-too-bright...hapless...hustler" is "the product of a dramatically dysfunctional family" and who, due to his narcolepsy, is often "overwhelmed by sleep." [4] The Washington Post praised Phoenix's approach to Mikey's character, claiming that he "brings an extraordinary quality of comic pathos to his character... he slouches through the movie, a walking blur, seemingly only half awake, but fully engaged." [5] David Ansen of Newsweek praised Phoenix's performance, saying that "Phoenix immerses himself so deeply inside his character you almost forget you've seen him before: it's a stunningly sensitive performance, poignant and comic at once." [6]

Scholarly interpretation

Mark Adnum calls Mikey "a one-man gay Hall of Fame...hustler outlaw, a cigarette constantly in mouth, living on cola and amphetamines" who is "even dressed as a Dutch sailor at one point, replete with Querelle’s pom-pom hat" and also "keeps an elastic umbilical cord to his Midwestern home which he occasionally visits but can no longer relate to." [7]

In "New Queer White Cinema," Daniel Mudie Cunningham claims that Mike exists on the margins of society, outside conventional employment, and beyond the social institutions of marriage and family." [8] Mike, Cunningham writes, is "queer white trash" while Scott Favor, is "gay for cash." In this way, Mike is an unlikely character to be the protagonist of the film—he is queer, homeless, relatively passive, and disabled. Thus, "My Own Private Idaho" presented a new, complex type of hero.

The film is characterized by Mikey's "internal actions." [9] Throughout the film, the audience is "presented with brief clips which indicate his thoughts and feelings." The timeless quality of the film—a mixture of flashbacks, flash-forwards, and the present—is due to Mike's narcolepsy and subsequent memory loss as well as the persistent yearning he has for his childhood.

Reception

River Phoenix was awarded the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the 1991 Venice Film Festival for his role as Michael. The actor said, in regards to the award: "I don't want more awards. Venice is the most progressive festival. Anything else would be a token." [10] In addition, 21-year-old River became the Best Actor runner-up from the 1991 New York Film Critics Circle and won Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead and National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor, becoming the second-youngest winner of the former. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keanu Reeves</span> Canadian actor (born 1964)

Keanu Charles Reeves is a Canadian actor. Born in Beirut and raised in Toronto, he made his acting debut in the Canadian television series Hangin' In (1984), before making his feature film debut in Youngblood (1986). Reeves had his breakthrough role in the science fiction comedy Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), and he reprised his role in its sequels. He gained praise for playing a hustler in the independent drama My Own Private Idaho (1991) and established himself as an action hero with leading roles in Point Break (1991) and Speed (1994).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Phoenix</span> American actor and musician (1970–1993)

River Jude Phoenix was an American actor and musician. Phoenix was known as a teen actor before taking on leading roles in critically acclaimed films. He received numerous accolades including Volpi Cup and the Independent Spirit Award as well as nominations for an Academy Award, and Golden Globe Award.

<i>The Color of Money</i> 1986 drama film by Martin Scorsese

The Color of Money is a 1986 American sports drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is the sequel to the 1961 film The Hustler, and stars Paul Newman reprising his role as "Fast Eddie" Felson, for which he won an Academy Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joaquin Phoenix</span> American actor (born 1974)

Joaquin Rafael Phoenix is an American actor. Known for playing dark and unconventional characters in independent films and period dramas, he has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Grammy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards. In 2020, The New York Times named him one of the greatest actors of the 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gus Van Sant</span> American film director, producer, photographer and musician

Gus Green Van Sant Jr. is an American film director, producer, photographer, and musician who has earned acclaim as an independent filmmaker. His films typically deal with themes of marginalized subcultures, in particular homosexuality. Van Sant is considered one of the most prominent auteurs of the New Queer Cinema movement.

<i>The Cooler</i> 2003 film by Wayne Kramer

The Cooler is a 2003 American crime drama film directed by Wayne Kramer, from a screenplay by Frank Hannah and Kramer. The film stars William H. Macy, Maria Bello, Shawn Hatosy, Ron Livingston, Estella Warren, Paul Sorvino, and Alec Baldwin. It follows a casino "cooler" whose mere presence at the gambling tables usually results in a streak of bad luck for the other players.

<i>My Own Private Idaho</i> 1991 film directed by Gus Van Sant

My Own Private Idaho is a 1991 American independent adventure drama film written and directed by Gus Van Sant, loosely based on Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V. The story follows two friends, Mike Waters and Scott Favor, played by River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves respectively, as they embark on a journey of personal discovery that takes them from Portland, Oregon, to Mike's hometown in Idaho, and then to Rome in search of Mike's mother.

<i>Look Whos Talking</i> 1989 film by Amy Heckerling

Look Who's Talking is a 1989 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Amy Heckerling, and starring John Travolta and Kirstie Alley. The film concerns the relationship between single mother Mollie (Alley) and her infant son Mikey's babysitter, James (Travolta). Bruce Willis provides the voice of Mikey's precocious thoughts, heard only by the audience. The film also features Olympia Dukakis, George Segal and Abe Vigoda in supporting roles. Produced by M.C.E.G. Productions, Inc. and released on October 13, 1989 by Tri-Star Pictures, the film received mixed reviews from critics. Nevertheless, it was a box office success, grossing $297 million worldwide on its budget of $7.5 million. The film was followed by two sequels: 1990's Look Who's Talking Too and 1993's Look Who's Talking Now.

<i>Running on Empty</i> (1988 film) 1988 film by Sidney Lumet

Running on Empty is a 1988 American drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Naomi Foner and starring River Phoenix, Judd Hirsch, Christine Lahti, and Martha Plimpton. It was produced by Lorimar Film Entertainment. It is the story of a counterculture couple on the run from the FBI, and how one of their sons starts to break out of this fugitive lifestyle.

<i>Walk the Line</i> 2005 film by James Mangold

Walk the Line is a 2005 American biographical drama film directed by James Mangold. The screenplay, written by Mangold and Gill Dennis, is based on two autobiographies by the American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash: Man in Black: His Own Story in His Own Words (1975) and Cash: The Autobiography (1997). The film follows Cash's early life, his romance with the singer June Carter, his ascent in the country music scene, and his drug addiction. It stars Joaquin Phoenix as Cash, Reese Witherspoon as Carter, Ginnifer Goodwin as Cash's first wife Vivian Liberto, and Robert Patrick as Cash's father.

Michael or Mike Waters may refer to:

The 57th New York Film Critics Circle Awards, honoring the best filmmaking of 1991, were announced on 17 December 1991 and presented on 12 January 1992.

<i>The Living End</i> (film) 1992 film by Gregg Araki

The Living End is a 1992 American comedy-drama film by Gregg Araki. Described by some critics as a "gay Thelma & Louise," the film is an early entry in the New Queer Cinema genre. The Living End was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1992.

James Vincent Russo is an American film and television actor. He has appeared in over 150 films in three decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Ng</span> Hong Kong actor (1939–2023)

Richard Ng Yiu-hon, also known as Richard Woo, was a Hong Kong actor known for playing comedic roles, particularly in Hong Kong films of the 1980s and 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kodi Smit-McPhee</span> Australian actor

Kodi Smit-McPhee is an Australian actor. He gained recognition as a child actor for his leading roles in The Road (2009) and Let Me In (2010). He provided the voice of the titular character in ParaNorman (2012) and appeared in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Alpha (2018), and Dark Phoenix (2019).

The 26th National Society of Film Critics Awards, given on 5 January 1992, honored the best filmmaking of 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chiara Caselli</span> Italian actress (born 1967)

Chiara Caselli is an Italian actress. In 1994, Caselli won the Nastro d'Argento for Best Actress award as well as the David di Donatello for Best Actress award. Caselli has appeared in American films including My Own Private Idaho opposite River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.

<i>My Own Private River</i> 2011 American drama film

My Own Private River is a re-contextualized adventure drama film of My Own Private Idaho (1991). Using footage shot and directed by Gus Van Sant in 1990, the new edit gives James Franco and Van Sant a shared director credit. The project is in tribute to Franco's favorite actor, River Phoenix. Franco called My Own Private Idaho one of his favorite movies and praised River's performance as the actor's best.

Félix Maritaud is a French actor notable for his roles in French queer cinema.

References

  1. ↑ Van Sant, Gus. My Own Private Idaho. 1991.
  2. ↑ Robb, Brian J. "River Phoenix: A Short Life", Perennial, 1995.
  3. ↑ Ebert, Roger (October 18, 1991). "My Own Private Idaho". Chicago Sun-Times . Chicago, Illinois: Sun-Times Media . Retrieved December 9, 2019– via rogerebert.com.
  4. ↑ Canby, Vincent. "My Own Private Idaho." The New York Times. 27 September 1991.
  5. ↑ Hinson, Hal. "My Own Private Idaho." The Washington Post. 18 October 1991
  6. ↑ Ansen, David (October 7, 1991). "Turning Shakespearean Tricks". Newsweek . Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  7. ↑ Adnum, Mark (February 2005). "My Own Private New Queer Cinema". Senses of Cinema . No. 34. Melbourne, Australia: Senses of Cinema Inc.
  8. ↑ Cunningham, Daniel Mudie (2007). "New Queer White Cinema". Queer Popular Culture: Literature, Media, Film and Television. New York City: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN   978-1403974907.
  9. ↑ Williams, Sean E. "My Own Private Idaho-A Critical Analysis." Rochester Institute of Technology. 7 May 1992.
  10. ↑ Green, Tom. "Phoenix's stock rising", USA Today, October 18, 1991.
  11. ↑ Sharf, Zack (2018-03-04). "Timothée Chalamet Wins Indie Spirit Award for Best Actor, Becomes Third Youngest Winner in History". IndieWire. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.