MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO (1991) dir. Gus Van Sant
The centerpiece of Riverβs performance, and the film, is a campfire scene with Reeves. Scott Favor takes Mike Waters on a road trip (on a stolen motorcycle) to visit Mikeβs brother. At night, sitting by a fire theyβve made, they discuss their respective childhoods: βIf I had a normal family and a good upbringing, then I would have been a well-adjusted person,β Mike insists. Whatβs really on his mind: heβs in love with Scott, and heβs terrified of saying so.
Β βI only have sex with a guy for money,β a reclining Scott tells him. βTwo guys canβt love each other.β
Β A miserable Mike says haltingly, βI could love someone even if I, you know, wasnβt paid for it. And I love you, and you donβt pay me.β Curling up in a ball, he tells Scott, βI really want to kiss you, man.β The scene ends with Scott gently holding Mike, stroking his hair.
βThis is the best part in the film,β Van Sant said, βand was chosen by River to be his big scene.β At Riverβs request, Van Sant scheduled it for the last day of shooting. River rewrote it himself, making it more lyrical and making his love for Scott explicit (in Van Santβs original script, the relationship was more ambiguous).
Β ββI love you, and you donβt have to pay meββIβm so glad I wrote that line,β River said. βI think that in his private life, Mike was probably a virgin, so he only relates sex with work.β River had spent some time thinking about situational virginity, and the emotional consequences of having sex when you didnβt want to have it.
β Last Night at the Viper Room: River Phoenix and the Hollywood he left behind by Gavin Edwards