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Matt Dillon, Kelly Lynch, James LeGros, Heather Graham, James Remar ... see more see more... , William S. Burroughs , Max Perlich , Ted D'Arms , Eric Hull , Ray Monge , Robert Lee Pitchlynn , Beah Richards , Stephen Rutledge , Grace Zabriskie , Michael Parker , George Catalano , John Kelly

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 dol... read more read more...tish 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, Rovi

Flixster Users

82% liked it

20,172 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

27 critics

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Gus Van Sant

Release Date: January 1, 1989

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DVD Release Date: October 19, 1999

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Stats: 865 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (865)

  • cosmo313
    December 8, 2011
    cosmo313
    Based on a novel, this is a story, set in the Pacific Northwest in the early 1970s about a group of drug addicts who rob pharmacies in order to get their fix and continue to stay high. They consist of husband and wife team Bob and Dianne Hughes (Matt Dillon and Kelly Lynch) and t... read morehe younger couple Rick and Nadine (James LeGros and a young Heather Graham).. Bob is a bit paranoid and superstitious, Dianne is rather sexually frustrated, Rick is a bit of a dolt, and Nadine is a young teenage runaway. They have their problems, but are nonetheless an offbeat family who make things work, despite their dangerous lifestyle. Given the nature of how they live and operate, the crew has been surprisingly lucky. WHen their lucj begins to change however, Bob realizes that, no matter how hard it might be, a change needs to be made.

    This was Gus Van Sant's sophmore effort, but it became his breakout work that put him on the map. This is a very strong effort, and actually enjoyable despite the grim and gritty subject matter. What makes it all work is that it finds htat middle ground where it manages ot not sugarcoat things, but also not get too extreme or come off as preachy or pretentious along the way. It is compentantly and artistically made, and I can see why Van Sant managed to go somewhere after this instead of becoming a one trick indie darling.

    The music, cinematography, and editing are all quite nice, and the film does a great job of depicting the seedier side of the early 70s drug culture without glamorizing things even though they're done with strong helpings of cinematiccraft and style. Where the film truly shines though is with the casting and the performances. Matt Dillon had done work before this, his turn as Bob is pure excellence, and really made him a rising star. Kelly Lynch gives a finely observed turn as Dianne, and her performances really adds to the pain that is felt when it becomes clear that she will probably never change. LeGros is pretty good as RIck, but he gets a little too overshadowed by the others. Graham is quite strong as the newbie of the group, and it's wonderful seeing her in the infancy of her career. Other notable work is put in by James Remar as a cop bound and determined to catch the group and put them away for good and William S. Burroughs as a defrocked priest who shows up for just a few brief, but important scenes fleshing out the world of drugs and the toll they can take.

    All in all, this was quite an impressive film. I think it is brilliant, but can't, for some reason, bring myself to give it the full 5. It gets at least an A- though, it that puts things in perspective. I guess maybe I'm a little nitpicky because i was able to guess (correctly) the outcome of some events. Maybe I shouldn't hold that against the film though. After all, trying to be completely original and 100% unpredictable is something that died out long ago. Still though, you should definitely give this one a go.
  • fb1664868775
    October 27, 2011
    fb1664868775
    Matt Dillon's finest hour and the film that put Van Sant on the map, this is a shockingly real depiction of drug addiction.
  • ythelastman89
    January 6, 2010
    ythelastman89
    One of my favorite movies from Gus Van Sant. This is a lot different from his other work, yet still holds a lot of the same style. The 70s backdrop worked perfect for an addiction narrative. I absolutely loved all of the performances, they were dead on while also being hilarious.... read more It's a very heart-felt and powerful story that truly means something, it isn't just another story about drugs.
  • yona71
    December 11, 2009
    yona71
    Matt Dillon delivers a brilliant performance as the leader of a small group that robs drugstores for the drugs they live for. Bob's(Dillon) superstitious antics are quite effective, and really capture the feel of a paranoid, outlaw drug user. However, they are too silly to be tak... read moreen seriously.
    A drama with the appropriate humor, perfect cinematography, and a memorable cameo by writer William S. Burroughs who portrays a junkie man of the cloth.
    Kelly Lynch plays Bob's unsatisfied wife and close partner in crime. Heather Graham and James LeGros play a young couple who are tagging along to help and learn how to steal, but their dubious beliefs in Bob's superstitions are tested, and shows that the drug addled Bob may not be far from the truths he clings to in his desolate journey as an addict of the early 1970s.
  • 76Majikat
    May 20, 2009
    76Majikat
    A film which although lacks any major excitement is still a fairly interesting watch. You see the film through a viewer?s eyes and perhaps create your opinions on this as opposed to making the viewer see it through an Addict?s eyes, which many later films following this theme ha... read moreve managed to do.

    It?s a very watchable movie, just feel it lacked a little something, worth seeing if it appears on tv and enjoyable performances from Matt Dillon and Kelly Lynch.
  • Tomassgringo
    May 8, 2008
    Tomassgringo
    I have great respect for Matt Dillon as an Actor and hope he one day gets the recognition he deserves.
  • jjnxn
    May 4, 2008
    jjnxn
    Grim, stream of conciousness drama with fine performance by Matt Dillon, heavy going.
  • mjgildea
    November 12, 2006
    mjgildea
    Such a well done and well-acted movie. Kelly Lynch is great here.
  • michaelcorleone
    January 24, 2009
    michaelcorleone
    One of Gus Van Sant's most impressive works, Drugstore Cowboy is a film that burns with energy and poetic subtext, permanently imprinting its dark story into the audience's minds. The performances are as energetic and fascinating as the direction, and it's all held up by a beauti... read morefully written screenplay. A masterpiece, and instantly one of my favorite films.
  • MagnusMagica
    February 20, 2010
    MagnusMagica
    "Lord, it's my dope fiend thief of a son and his crazy little nymphomaniac wife."
    An old favorite with Matt Dillon, Kelly Lynch, James LeGros and Heather Graham in her debut role. A great drama with a fantastic Matt Dillon.

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Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
August 20, 2010
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

All the actors are used expertly, but it's Burroughs, cropping up near the end, who articulates the film's sociopolitical moral in a contemporary context. Full Review

Variety Staff
July 6, 2010
Variety Staff, Variety

No previous drug-themed film has the honesty or originality of Gus Van Sant's drama Drugstore Cowboy. Full Review

Stephen Holden
May 20, 2003
Stephen Holden, New York Times

The film takes us so deeply into this shabby, transient world that we feel its texture -- both its scary thrills and its bleak, fatalistic uncertainty. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie stars Matt Dillon, in one of the great recent American movie performances. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

The performers make their affectlessness expressive. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Ultimately it's Dillon who has the biggest score; he makes this stark trip a heady, hopeful one. Full Review

August 20, 2010
Film4

A frazzled, dangerous and dark comedy-drama. Full Review

August 20, 2010
Empire Magazine

One of those cult classics well worth investigating even if you have never so much as smoked a cigarette in your life. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
May 3, 2010
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Forthright junkie film. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 20, 2006
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Lyrically shot, this chronicle of a bunch of bumbling petty-criminals who steal pharmaceuticals is a tad too straightforward by Van Sant's standards, but the dialogue is funnt, the mood nonchalant, an... Full Review

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Drugstore Cowboy Trivia

  • What movie is Nicolas Cage NOT in?  Answer »
  • In the 1999 drama, Drugstore Cowboy, what superstition frightens Matt Dillon's character?  Answer »
  • This 1989 drug filled road movie, was directed by Gus Van Sant and starred Matt Dillon, Kelly lynch, and Heather Graham.  Answer »
  • Which of the following films IS NOT a western?  Answer »
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