I thought the River Phoenix performance was really great, too. From what I've read, he's the one who wrote the campfire scene. Van Sant said he imagined the scene as a much more casual thing, like the two just find themselves alone together and Mike suggests that they hook up. Apparently, River redid Van Sant's take on the scene and made it a confession of love.
I think that COMPLETELY changed the nature of the movie — made it so much better — and the element of unrequited love added a dimension to Mike's character that really brought out the pathos of his life.
I also agree with Ben that William Richert's performance was fantastic. I am a big fan of Shakespeare's Falstaff, and I think Richert played the part with just the right mix of brilliance and buffoonery.
I have to admit I've never been a fan of Keanu Reeves as an actor, although he seems to be an exceptionally interesting person. I agree with Christy's "wooden" assessment, and sometimes he seems downright blank to me. I thought he was decent in "Much Ado," too.
In "Idaho," I think the wooden quality was right for the character. Wooden as in hollow. His whole life is basically playing a part. It's a life of self-regard.
When River Phoenix got the script for "Idaho," he wanted to play Scott (the less "gay" character), but Keanu already had the part. River is so brimming with feeling and emotion, it's hard to imagine him doing well with the calm, cool Scott role.
Ditto on Keanu. For me, he will never shake that "Bill and Ted" persona. I'm always expecting him to say, "Like, totally" or "Bogus!"
I read that, too, about the campfire scene being changed by River Phoenix. Gives me a lot of respect for him. The movie would have lost a lot for me without that confession of love.
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River, definitely. I thought he was particularly good in the campfire scene. His performance felt very authentic.
I much preferred Phoenix to Reeves, but for some reason I was most drawn to Bob, who I guess was played by a guy named William Richert.
Definitely River Phoenix. He was outstanding.
I have never seen Keanu Reeves in a great role. He played a decent bad guy in "Much Ado about Nothing," but I often think he seems wooden.
I thought the River Phoenix performance was really great, too. From what I've read, he's the one who wrote the campfire scene. Van Sant said he imagined the scene as a much more casual thing, like the two just find themselves alone together and Mike suggests that they hook up. Apparently, River redid Van Sant's take on the scene and made it a confession of love.
I think that COMPLETELY changed the nature of the movie — made it so much better — and the element of unrequited love added a dimension to Mike's character that really brought out the pathos of his life.
I also agree with Ben that William Richert's performance was fantastic. I am a big fan of Shakespeare's Falstaff, and I think Richert played the part with just the right mix of brilliance and buffoonery.
I have to admit I've never been a fan of Keanu Reeves as an actor, although he seems to be an exceptionally interesting person. I agree with Christy's "wooden" assessment, and sometimes he seems downright blank to me. I thought he was decent in "Much Ado," too.
In "Idaho," I think the wooden quality was right for the character. Wooden as in hollow. His whole life is basically playing a part. It's a life of self-regard.
When River Phoenix got the script for "Idaho," he wanted to play Scott (the less "gay" character), but Keanu already had the part. River is so brimming with feeling and emotion, it's hard to imagine him doing well with the calm, cool Scott role.
Yes, the campfire scene was very good.
Ditto on Keanu. For me, he will never shake that "Bill and Ted" persona. I'm always expecting him to say, "Like, totally" or "Bogus!"
I read that, too, about the campfire scene being changed by River Phoenix. Gives me a lot of respect for him. The movie would have lost a lot for me without that confession of love.
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