Drugstore Cowboy
This movie's so real, its scary. This gripping film about a family of drug thieves is based on a novel by convicted drug robber, a man who knows his subject well.
Addicted husband and wife team, Bob and Diane Hughes (Matt Dillon and Kelly Lynch), and a younger couple of thieves resort to robbing drugstores to stay high. Still, in spite of this tragic lifestyle, they share moments of compassion and humor.
The foursome skillfully skirt the law due to Bob's wits and superstitious nature until the day his luck begins to change. When his death appears inevitable, Bob realizes he must give up drugs and Diane to Survive.
Member Reviews
Great movie - brentb
Truly one of the greatest films of the eighties and, actually, one of my all-time favorites. I could watch Drugstore Cowboy once a week for a year and never get tired of it. This is a great example of Gus Van Sant's work and, along with My Own Private Idaho, is probably his best. For those who think that they know who Gus Van Sant is because they saw Good Will Hunting or want to see Psycho, they should check this out and see what he's really all about. Great performances all around, escpecially from Dillon and Lynch, and a fantastic cameo by William S. Burroughs as Bob's childhood priest. Unapologetic in tone, and beautiful to look at (especially Van Sant's obsession with time-lapse photography). Along with Do the Right Thing, the best film of 1989, and one of the most powerful films in the past ten years. Definitely check it out.Insightful, very funny, riveting, credible, refreshingly non-preachy - clauditorium
Insightful, very funny, riveting, credible, refreshingly objective (non-preachy) film about drug life slows down towards the end (author William S. Burroughs’ cameo is a drag). Matt Dillon is very charismatic as the superstitious, inventive drug thief.Drugstore Cowboy is a "Dark Flick" that Still Works - TheShamus
It's been more than a decade since I originally watched the "dark" movie about a small group of dope-fiends called, "Drugstore Cowboy". Written and directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting), this movie is far from the typical Hollywood tripe.
Matt Dillon and cast are excellent as a group of relatively young people who live only to get their next high. It's a good theatrical representation of the underground drug culture.
There is needle use and some pill popping ... but the movie does not get much into the great euphoria which keeps these users coming back for more. It does highlight how the relationships in our lives which mean the most to us (mother and son, husband and wife, friend and friend) do not mean much compared to the pursuit of the next high.
The cop in this film serves as more of a "device" than anything else ... something to keep the plot moving, while we see this individuals stop lower and lower.
This is a great "art house" style movie. If you are not into this scene, this may not be the movie for you.
The fact the movie is so memerable after all this time, is a testiment to the impact it had on me.
/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\
Member Reviews
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Great movie - brentb
Truly one of the greatest films of the eighties and, actually, one of my all-time favorites. I could watch Drugstore Cowboy once a week for a year and never get tired of it. This is a great example of Gus Van Sant's work and, along with My Own Private Idaho, ...Insightful, very funny, riveting, credible, refreshingly non-preachy - clauditorium
Insightful, very funny, riveting, credible, refreshingly objective (non-preachy) film about drug life slows down towards the end (author William S. Burroughs’ cameo is a drag). Matt Dillon is very charismatic as the superstitious, inventive drug thief.Drugstore Cowboy is a "Dark Flick" that Still Works - TheShamus
It's been more than a decade since I originally watched the "dark" movie about a small group of dope-fiends called, "Drugstore Cowboy". Written and directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting), this movie is far from the typical Hollywood tripe.
Matt ...