Rating: 
Summary: A truly remarkable film!
Review: As we all know, there are many movies out there about drugs, crime, and so on. But none with the premise of this film. Focusing on an all-too real, yet very unrecognized problem, 'Drugstore Cowboy' tells the story of Bob (Dillon) and his crew and their adventures in the world of presciption drug abuse. The lengths to which these people go, and the inevitable consequences are not only scary, but right on target.
This is a truly great film, and is one of my top ten favorites of all time. The acting is superb, and the story is refreshingly unique. This is a film EVERYONE should see in their life, and its importance is matched by very few films ever made.
'Drugstore Cowboy' is effective without being ronchy. It delivers its message without being graphic. A brilliant piece of film-making I encourage everyone to see.
Rating: 
Summary: Some like it black
Review: Before director Gus Van Sant decided to get all mushy on us with the likes of Finding Forrester, he made this suprisingly little-seen gem. The first time I saw it was not long after having seen Trainspotting, and I immediately understood where Trainspotting had found a great amount of its inspiration - like that film, Drugstore Cowboy is essentially a comedy. Black as they come, but a comedy none the less.The story of a group of four junkies who raid drugstores in their search for drugs, this film takes a gritty, unflinching look at drugabuse and the hell people go through while using and after they quit. Shifting tones between deeply dramatic and darkly comical, Van Sant never judges his characters, but just allows them to speak for themselves - literally, as Matt Dillon's character narrates the movie. Dillon has never been better than here, and is supported by an excellent Kelly Lynch (where did she go in the meantime, anyway?) and a very young Heather Graham. There are moments in this film you'll remember forever: when Dillon and Lynch get stuck in a motel hosting a sheriff's convention with a dead body on their hands, you don't know whether to laugh, cry or shiver at the thought. And who ever suspected that a song like "The Israelites" could be made to sound so haunting? In the framework of this movie, it does. Above all, this movie comes across as very honest and heartfelt, emotional without being corny, effective without being preachy. DVD-edition features a fine transfer of the film - its occasional graininess is likely due to either the low budget it was shot on in the first place, or an artistic choice. I've never seen it any better than here, and the rough edges of it do seem to add to its content and mood. Commentary by Van Sant and Dillon starts out entertaining, but towards the end they seem to be searching for new things to say. Very good "making of"-featurette.
Rating:
Summary: Some like it black
Review: Before director Gus Van Sant decided to get all mushy on us with the likes of Finding Forrester, he made this suprisingly little-seen gem. The first time I saw it was not long after having seen Trainspotting, and I immediately understood where Trainspotting had found a great amount of its inspiration - like that film, Drugstore Cowboy is essentially a comedy. Black as they come, but a comedy none the less. The story of a group of four junkies who raid drugstores in their search for drugs, this film takes a gritty, unflinching look at drugabuse and the hell people go through while using and after they quit. Shifting tones between deeply dramatic and darkly comical, Van Sant never judges his characters, but just allows them to speak for themselves - literally, as Matt Dillon's character narrates the movie. Dillon has never been better than here, and is supported by an excellent Kelly Lynch (where did she go in the meantime, anyway?) and a very young Heather Graham. There are moments in this film you'll remember forever: when Dillon and Lynch get stuck in a motel hosting a sheriff's convention with a dead body on their hands, you don't know whether to laugh, cry or shiver at the thought. And who ever suspected that a song like "The Israelites" could be made to sound so haunting? In the framework of this movie, it does. Above all, this movie comes across as very honest and heartfelt, emotional without being corny, effective without being preachy. DVD-edition features a fine transfer of the film - its occasional graininess is likely due to either the low budget it was shot on in the first place, or an artistic choice. I've never seen it any better than here, and the rough edges of it do seem to add to its content and mood. Commentary by Van Sant and Dillon starts out entertaining, but towards the end they seem to be searching for new things to say. Very good "making of"-featurette.
Rating:
Summary: DVD review...
Review: First off, let me say that Drugstore Cowboy is a great film, one of my favorites. This review is about the DVD release, not the film. The picture has a few flaws, dirt and noise in some scenes, lines in others... At times it can be distracting. Other times, it looks really nice. Having seen this film at least 6 or 8 times, I knew going in that I would really pay attention to the picture. Despite the problems (I'm starting to believe it's the source print of the film) the DVD is the best that the film has looked since it's theatrical release and I'm just glad that it's available. The sound is a 2.0 digital mix. Nothing great, but a good mix. Everything sounds clean and it has very good detail and level. The documentary is an interesting "making of" look at the film and is a nice extra. The commentary track features both Matt Dillon and Gus Van Sant and is fairly interesting. Overall, the DVD could be better (the bells and whistles of major studio releases overshadow smaller films like this one) but it is a nice release. If you love Drugstore Cowboy and are debating on picking this up on DVD, go ahead, you'll be pleased with it. Just don't expect perfection.
Rating:
Summary: Who put the hat on the bed?
Review: Grrrrrrr Oh yeah I'm here to review this movie, I think that everyone should see it and that its a darn great movie because it doesn't moralize the life OR demoralize it, and thats what's so different and great about it.Although it's not a film for a younger child, I'd let a 16 year old see it, so they can see the basic point of it. I love the hexes and seem to laugh at the things that aren't funny. It leaves you with a feeling of knowing what those kind of people feel like and the rushes that they get, it wouldn't make you want to go out and do it neccesarrily , but you know how they feel exactly. Plus, Matt Dillion and James LeGros are cool as hell! Kelly lynch is a great actress, and I can't wait to have this movie! If you're smart you'll get it too! "Get the damn hat off the bed"
Rating:
Summary: Gus Van Sant Overcomes Here
Review: Gus Van Sant, I would qualify, as THE man to retract the universe of junkies, porn and violence in a teenager context (remember "Kids"?), or in an adult instance, or maybe them both in a reciprocity. Drugstore Cowboy is no exception either: a group of junkies who are so obsessed and obstinated to steal some drugs at drugstores (even hospitals) to cloy their need.
Matt Dillon, impressively for the first time I have ever seen, acts really well and does something great, displaying a character (Bob) who knows how to deceive the police with his tricks, attended also by his beautiful lover (Dianne, played by pretty Kelly Lynch) and two others (Rick and Nadine),who follow him throughout to get their portions, and [oftenly] getting killed by their gold. What the movie displays here as message is that, maybe, if you have freewill and belief in yourself, you might transcend your wounds and vices and get "fixed" in a "real life" ambit. Drugstore Cowboy also displays some irony and sarcasm, getting rid of that usual image that other movies retract the addicted people: depressed and agressive. People here look perfectly "normal" (according to what people subscribe as normality, anyway) and it might be someone you don't even expect. Great movie. Watch it now.
Rating: 
Summary: Ohhh, how cliché...
Review: Hmmm.... Very familiar. Seems like a compilation of every drug-culture movie I've seen. It's basically a collage of ripped-off scenes and ideas. I recommend that you spend your money on something like Trainspotting instead. Same drug culture, more originality ;).
Rating:
Summary: Northwest Junkie Pranksters
Review: I am always surprised at how many people have not heard of this film. Although released back in 1989, this is definitely one of Van Sant's best films. This flick takes you into the day to day routine of Bob (played by Matt Dillon) and his melancholic and nomadic band of junkies who roam around the Pacific Northwest raiding pharmacies and hospital drug cabinets in search of Valium, Dilaudid and other narcotic goodies to pop, shoot and snort. The mood of this film is generally very dysphoric however some comic relief is added throughout in the dialogue and 'trippy' visual imagery. Some of the pranks they pull on the detective they are eluding are also pretty humorous. The movie definitely captures the 70's era well with its acting, dialogue and wardrobe. Superb acting by Dillon as the intimacy phobic, restless and highly superstitious ringleader, Kelly Lynch as his less than satisfied girlfriend, James LeGros as simpleminded Rick, and Heather Graham as the young ditzy neophyte who literally goes overboard trying hard fit into this group of merry prankster junkies. This movie is a creative little exploration into the day to day routine and psyche of the junkie, so if you can't handle the portrayal of this reality, then this is another movie that isn't for you. Interestingly, William Burroughs plays a short role as a junkie priest, adding some penetrating social commentary towards the end.
Rating:
Summary: ...and I always have to drive
Review: I have a friend who can't stand this movie -- which leads me to distrust her (then again, her favorite movies are romantic comedies wherein the couples end up together). Dillon is great, and I'm not even a fan of his. Can't help but watch stunning Graham. Beautifully ambiguous ending. One of my all-time favorites. And I never have to drive.
Rating:
Summary: Still Amazing
Review: I have always enjoyed this movie, ever since it first appeared in theaters. It's really sorry that only a select number of people have had exposure to this film. References inside range from the brilliant William Burroughs to Mickey Spillane. The DVD preserves every aspect, allowing us an inside access to the minds of writer/director Gus Van Sant and actor Matt Dillon. For so long my VHS copy was wearing and tearing. Now I have a DVD copy that will virtually last forever. Get this movie, it's a must-see/must-have for all film geeks like myself.
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