Drugstore Cowboy

There's something about Matt Dillon that exudes trouble. He's either feelin' it, or stirrin' it. From the teen rec center in Over the Edge to the wrecked teens at the center of Rumble Fish, Dillon captured the troubled yearning of youth. Drugstore Cowboy is mature Matt. Here, he's leader of the pack, jacking pharmacies with a gang of dopers determined to dose it up and drag it down. Gus Van Sant's breakthrough feature has a grimy sheen, the patina of addled highs, which powerfully convey its medicated milieu. And Dillon: can he marshal the moxie to detox? Look for a cameo by that King of Cool, William Burroughs.

This page may by only partially complete. For additional information about this film, view the original entry on our archived site.