Search - Drugstore Cowboy on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Brief Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Substance Abuse Movie Release: 1989 DVD Release: 10/26/1999 Format: DVD - Soft-Matted WSE for 16x9 TV SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 44 mins Studio: Live/Artisan Members Wishing: 17 Genres: Drama, Road Movie, Crime Drama, Addiction Drama

The operative word in Drugstore Cowboy is "drug". Matt Dillon plays the leader of a group of dopeheads who wander around the country robbing pharmacies to feed their habits. Dillon's chums include doltish James Le Gros and teen-age junkie Heather Graham; also along for the ride is Dillon's wife Kelly Lynch. Their nemesis is cop James Remar, whom Dillon takes perverse delight in humiliating. When one of the young addicts dies of an overdose, it promps Dillon to try to go straight, a task complicated by wife Lynch's determination to stay high and by the corrupting presence of an ex-priest, played by Naked Lunch author William Burroughs. Drugstore Cowboy was director Gus Van Sant's breakthrough picture. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Matt Dillon - Bob
Kelly Lynch - Dianne
James LeGros - Rick
Heather Graham - Nadine
James Remar - Gentry

Gus Van Sant's indie great Drugstore Cowboy, predating his more melodramatic Hollywood fare, is never less than fascinating throughout its 104 minutes. This 1.85:1 widescreen presentation makes for a mostly successful DVD edition. While the transfer is generally good, presenting clean skin tones and bold colors (especially in the tacky, period wardrobe and home decor), specks and spots do show up in the print. The 2.0 Stereo Sound is quiet compared to that of most DVDs; be sure to turn down the volume of your audio system after watching the DVD, so the next DVD doesn't blare through your speakers. At just under 30 minutes, the "making of" documentary is one of the better ones out there, operating in a subdued, artsy tone not dissimilar to the movie. The movie-length commentary track with Van Sant and Matt Dillon is a hushed affair; while often quite interesting, it's also a bit sleep-inducing, as Van Sant and Dillon tend to rattle on as if performing hypnotism. The included "trailer" is actually a goofy, hyperbolic 30-second TV spot. "Cast & Crew" is the usual biography/filmography information, while production notes provide decent background information on the movie. The scene index allows instant access to the DVD's 35 chapters. While it's not really special enough deserve its "special edition" tag, this DVD is still a worthy release. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Movie Guide