Softwing
Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??
Mandeep Tyson
The acting in this movie is really good.
Beulah Bram
A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.
maxplascencia
Great movie but does NO ONE ELSE notice in the first scene where matt dillon is walking and you can see the camera crew in the reflection on the windows he's walking by??? I'm just really picky
Josh Barfield
I've read a few reviews attempting to judge this film in comparison to Requiem & Trainspotting, which is to be completely unfair. A very broad and brief synopsis of the 3 would be similar, but that's where the true similarities end. DC is in truth a hard movie to watch. . .there's nothing glorious or funny or pretty about it. There is no cool or hip vibe, the violence isn't blood and gore but is ugly and real. I can't even honestly say I enjoyed it, but I felt it and thought about it for some time after. To me, DC feels more honest than other in this genre, Very dark and uncomfortable, yet strangely gripping. In my opinion, Matt Dillon is at his best. Graham, Lynch and Le Gros are competent. 8/10
Scott LeBrun
Very interesting low key story, based on the writing of James Fogle, a man who truly wrote what he knew, of a small "family" of small time criminals & drug addicts who rob drugstores to support their habits. The ringleader is Bob (Matt Dillon), who has a certain way of doing things that has just as much to do with superstition as practicality. Bob narrates in the first person, and this helps the gritty "Drugstore Cowboy" to achieve a gripping realism. There's no melodrama here, and not much in the way of embellishment from director Gus Van Sant, who made an impressive break through with this film. The approach is very matter of fact; the actions of Bob and his gang are neither demonized nor glamorized. As a result, this makes for a compelling experience, with music by Elliot Goldenthal that is effective without ever overwhelming the action. It's gritty stuff, and pretty serious although it never becomes too grim, displaying a sense of humour on occasion and offering some hope for the future. As Bob struggles to kick his habit and leave his criminal ways behind, one can't help but root for him. Dillon does praiseworthy work in the lead, with strong support from James Le Gros, Heather Graham, and especially Kelly Lynch as the wife who has no interest in changing her lifestyle. James Remar is good as the tough, determined, but not unreasonable detective who has hounded Bob much of the time; the real treat is in seeing the legendary author and character William S. Burroughs, very well cast as "Tom the Priest". The North Atlantic seaboard atmosphere is potent, and Van Sant and Dillon just pull us right into the life and philosophy of this man who can see the writing on the wall when those hexes (mention of dogs, the presence of a hat on a bed) that he tries to avoid so much inevitably manifest themselves. Overall, "Drugstore Cowboy" is vivid, convincing, and never maudlin, with everybody involved easily giving 100% percent. Nine out of 10.
preppy-3
Incredible movie takes place in 1971 in Oregon. Bob (Matt Dillon), his girlfriend Dianne (Kelly Lynch) and Rick (James Le Gros) and HIS girlfriend Nadine (Heather Graham) are all drug addicts. They live together and support their habit by robbing drugstore pharmacies. Their lives slowly become darker and more violent...but can they break away from the drugs? Also police officer Gentry (James Remar) is hot on their trail.This was a breakthrough in 1989. It put director Gus van Sant on the map and (briefly) revived Matt Dillon's career. It was also a surprise hit for such a low-budget film. It might sound like a boring and depressing film but it isn't. There's plenty of humor and the film actually has you rooting for the main characters even though they ARE robbers and addicts. The 1971 era is there but you're not hit over the head with it. The clothes, fashions and the black and white TV with rabbit ears tell you everything you need to know. The acting is excellent across the board. No one is bad but Dillon and Lynch are just simply superb in their roles. Also the direction by van Sant was incredible--it REALLY bought to life more than a few scenes. I was never bored and completely fascinated. WELL worth catching. I give this a 10.
