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Drugstore Cowboy (6-Oct-1989)

Director: Gus Van Sant

Writers: Gus Van Sant; Daniel Yost

From novel: Drugstore Cowboy by James Fogle

Music by: Elliot Goldenthal

Producers: Nick Wechsler; Karen Murphy

Keywords: Crime, Drug Addiction

A hat on the bed??

NameOccupationBirthDeathKnown for
William S. Burroughs
Author
5-Feb-1914 2-Aug-1997 Naked Lunch
Matt Dillon
Actor
18-Feb-1964   Drugstore Cowboy
Heather Graham
Actor
29-Jan-1970   Rollergirl in Boogie Nights
James LeGros
Actor
27-Apr-1962   Drugstore Cowboy, Living in Oblivion
Kelly Lynch
Actor
31-Jan-1959   Drugstore Cowboy
Max Perlich
Actor
28-Mar-1968   Brodie on Homicide
James Remar
Actor
31-Dec-1953   The Warriors
Beah Richards
Actor
12-Jul-1920 14-Sep-2000 Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Grace Zabriskie
Actor
17-May-1941   Sarah Palmer in Twin Peaks

CAST

Matt Dillon   ...   Bob
Kelly Lynch   ...   Dianne
James Remar   ...   Gentry
James LeGros   ...   Rick
Heather Graham   ...   Nadine
Beah Richards   ...   Drug Counselor
Grace Zabriskie   ...   Bob's Mother
Max Perlich   ...   David
and
William S. Burroughs   ...   Tom the Priest
Eric Hull   ...   Druggist
John Kelly   ...   Cop
George Catalano   ...   Trousinski
Janet Baumhover   ...   Neighbor Lady
Ted D'Arms   ...   Neighbor Man
Neal Thomas   ...   Halamer
Stephen Rutledge   ...   Motel Manager
Robert Lee Pitchlynn   ...   Hotel Clerk
Roger Hancock   ...   Machinist
Michael Parker   ...   Crying Boy
Ray Monge   ...   Accomplice
Woody   ...   Panda the Dog

REVIEWS

Review by Wayne J. Cormack (posted on 27-Sep-2005)

Gritty, uncompromising and a very stark glimpse into the lives of four young drug addicts. They rob pharamacies, hole up in low places, shoot up, believe in jinxes, exchange humorous dialogue, and then move on, to do it all over again. This film has depth. Matt Dillon, as the 'leader' has rarely been this believable in a role. Kelly Lynch is gorgeous, even when she's strung out. Her character is finely tuned. Little Max Perlich, the rat faced character actor who usually can be counted upon to show up somewhere in a film about drug addiction, plays his doper/punk like it was just another day in the office.

Shot in the Pacific Northwest, this is no glamour run. These people are serious about their drugs and going about getting them, is what drives their very existance.

I enjoyed the late 70s backdrop and the light, breezy music juxtaposed against the grim reality of drug addiction is high art. The Matt Dillon character, the most insightful and reflective of the group, call his contemporaries, "TV babies". It is a befitting epitath for this lost generation, whereas instand gratification is of paramont importance. Outwitting the cops, taking it on the lamb and breaking into drug store pharamacies, may not be John Dillenger robbing banks, but for these characters, this setting and these activities, provide the perfect backdrop for their desperation and self-mockery.

The film deserves closer examination. It's not just another drug explotation film. It treats it's subject matter seriously, but knows when to throw in the hard earned laughs, as well. The acting is stellar. I actually did enjoy this one more, the second time around. Probably picking up on more subtlety and nuanced comedy, than after the first viewing.

The ending, is not a Hollywood ending, by any means, but there is a shot of redemption thrown in for good measure. Do yourself a favor and catch this underrated, if not underexposed little gem. If for no other reason, than to see Matt Dillon act and the late William S. Burrows salivate over a gift of pharmacutical diluadid.


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