Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Drugstore Cowboy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 23, 2021

Gus Van Sant's "Drugstore Cowboy" (1989) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include new program with actress Kelly Lynch; new program with composer Elliot Goldenthal; audio commentary by director Gus Van Sant and Matt Dillon; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

We can do it. It is just another job.

In a brand new program included on this release of Gus Van Sant’s Drugstore Cowboy, Kelly Lynch recalls the exact moment when she realized that her life would change forever. It was at a famous festival when Roger Ebert ran to her and told her how impressed he was with her performance, and then casually revealed that he knew people exactly like the characters from the film. I thought about Lynch’s recollection a lot because I saw Drugstore Cowboy when it opened theatrically, and my take on its characters was completely different. I did not understand why they had chosen to live their lives as they do. I still do not, and I want to tell you why.

In Drugstore Cowboy, Lynch’s character, Dianne, lives with a group of junkies who make ends meet by robbing pharmacies and hospitals in the Pacific Northwest. They do not steal money. They are after the type of pills and liquids that you need a prescription for and can get you high. They trade some of them to local pushers for cash or other drugs. (One of these pushers is played by a young and very funny Max Perlich). But they keep plenty of them too because they need to support their chosen lifestyle. The leader of the group, Bob (Matt Dillon), has extensive knowledge of the best treats, so he is the one who usually breaks in and picks up the most valuable pills and liquids. Later, he tells the other members of the group what they should or should not use. Rick (James Le Gros) can use the harder stuff, but Dianne and Nadine (Heather Graham) must be careful and avoid most of it.

The police know everything there is to know about the group and their activities and from time to time raid their latest ‘home’, but somehow Bob always manages to keep everyone safe. He does not think that his success has anything to do with luck. However, he is so superstitious that when everyone is together certain activities and rituals are banned. One of them involves a hat. Then, despite being careful, one day Bob finally screws up, and the group falls apart.

I do not want to spoil exactly how it happens, so I will only say that there is a crucial event that unleashes a chain reaction of other dramatic events. However, I would like to highight one particular development I have always had difficulty rationalizing. This development is what essentially makes it impossible for me to understand the attraction of the lifestyle that these junkies have chosen for themselves. After Bob screws up, he decides to clean up his act and asks Dianne to do the same, but at the exact moment when she must make what ought to be a simple decision, she immediately walks away from him. In other words, Dianne’s addiction proves stronger than her love for Bob.

Or was Dianne ever in love with Bob?

The film works hard to convince she was, but it did not convince me. I recall this extremely well because it was one of the reasons I did not understand the group’s lifestyle. I know why desperate people do drugs and eventually end up in the gutter, but the lifestyle that is depicted in the film is different. Bob, Dianne, Nadine, and Rick are not desperate people. They are supposed to be close friends who, for better or worse, are supporting each other, and at the right time the film reveals that they are just suicidal egoistical liars using each other as best as they could.

The big truth that emerges from this film is neither new nor surprising, and it is the only aspect of it that is crystal clear to me. Bob explains it in the prologue -- you can’t win a game that cannot be won. This is the game that all junkies play.

Drugstore Cowboy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Drugstore Cowboy arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The master that was used to source this release has a dated appearance. However, it is free of problematic digital corrections and this is the main reason why the film has a decent organic appearance. For example, virtually all close-ups look nicely detailed, while most panoramic shots reveal pleasing depth. Even darker footage looks good, though fine nuances could be more convincing. Grain is properly exposed, or at least for an older master, but some encoding optimizations should have been made because from time to time it becomes a tad too loose. Colors are stable. Saturation and balance can be improved, but I did not see any major issues to address. Image stability is very good. All in all, while slightly dated, I think that this is a good presentation of Drugstore Cowboy. My score is 3.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Drugstore Cowboy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The dialog is clear and easy to follow. Elliot Goldenthal's unique score opens up key sections of the film quite well. However, I do believe that a new remaster can improve some areas where minor unevenness is noticeable. I still like a lot what I heard. There are no encoding anomalies to report in our review.

Drugstore Cowboy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - a vintage trailer for Drugstore Cowboy. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

• Commentary - this audio commentary was recorded by director Gus Van Sant and Matt Dillon.

• Making of Documentary - In English, not subtitled. (28 min).

• Ahead of the Curve - visual essay by critic Chris O'Neal. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• Elliot Ascending: Scoring Drugstore Cowboy - In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Dianne's Addiction: Kelly Lynch on Drugstore Cowboy - In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

Drugstore Cowboy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I don't understand the lifestyle that is depicted in Drugstore Cowboy. I never have. It is a form of slow suicide that is impossible to defend. William S. Burroughs pops up in the film and argues the exact opposite, but as they say, everyone is entitled to have an opinion. I think that the four leads -- Matt Dillon, James Le Gros, Kelly Lynch, and Heather Graham -- are really good, but I don't recall the last time I felt the urge to revisit the film because of their performances. This recent release of Drugstore Cowboy is sourced from a slightly dated but good master and features an attractive mix of new and archival bonus features. It is Region-Free. RECOMMENDED.