This provocative and downbeat drama set in early 1970s Oregon looks at the sordid life of four junkies who rob pharmacies to support their habits, led by the superstitious Bob Hughes (Matt Dillon).
On their trail is a policeman who has sworn to bring Bob to justice.
Director Gus Van Sant brings an extraordinary visual style to this credible, non-judgemental portrayal of addiction, which is based on an unpublished semi-autobiographical novel by prisoner James Fogle.
Dillon gives a compelling performance in the lead and The Naked Lunch author William S Burroughs appears in a cameo as a priest turned dope fiend.
Bob Hughes
Matt Dillon
Dianne Hughes
Kelly Lynch
Gentry
James Remar
Rick
James LeGros
Nadine
Heather Graham
Drug counsellor
Beah Richards
Bob’s mother
Grace Zabriskie
David
Max Perlich
Tom the Priest
William S Burroughs
Druggist
Eric Hull
Director
Gus Van Sant