Outsider art is one of my favorite movements. On an average Sunday afternoon, you can find me listening to Daniel Johnston while sorting through piles of paintings left by dead janitors.
That being said, my good friend Owen P. Kelley was right in saying that I would enjoy My Own Private Idaho. Directed by Van Sant, MOPI deals with what was at the time a hot topic: MALE PROSTITUTION. Tackling such a taboo topic is bound to marginalize the film. But even with its limited reach, MOPI manages to make real what people wished would remain out of sight. Mikey and co. are portrayed as complex people, each with his own personality and unique dream. I can hear what you're saying: "but wait, Johnny, even mainstream films strive for character depth!" ALAS, it is exactly this character depth that turns Van Sant's film into an outsider one because these characters are so controversial in their raw and unique emotional authenticity.
Insubordinate and churlish.
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