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Drugstore Cowboy
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Gus Van Sant
Produced by	Karen Murphy Cary Brokaw Nick Wechsler
Written by	James Fogle (novel) Gus Van Sant Daniel Yost William S. Burroughs
Starring	Matt Dillon Kelly Lynch James Le Gros Heather Graham
Music by	Elliot Goldenthal
Cinematography	Robert Yeoman
Editing by	Mary Bauer Curtiss Clayton
Distributed by	Avenue Pictures
Release date(s)	October 9, 1989
Running time	102 min.
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$2.5 million
Gross revenue	$5.4 million

Drugstore Cowboy is a 1989 crime drama written and directed by Gus Van Sant.

Matt Dillon stars in the title role, and Kelly Lynch, Heather Graham, and William S. Burroughs are also featured. Drugstore Cowboy was filmed mainly around Portland, Oregon. The film's score was written by composer Elliot Goldenthal. Drugstore Cowboy was Van Sant's breakthrough picture.

Drugstore Cowboy was listed on the top ten list of both Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert for films released in 1989. The film was very well-received critically.

Plot

The story follows Bob Hughes (Matt Dillon) and his "family" of drug addicts as they travel across the United States of America Pacific Northwest in the early 1970s, supporting their habit by robbing pharmacies and hospitals. A highlight of the film is an appearance by recovering addict William S. Burroughs as Tom, a defrocked priest who lectures Bob on the dangers of temptation. After a tragedy strikes the "family", Bob decides to try to "go straight," but finds that there is more to extricating himself from the drug user's lifestyle than just giving up drugs.

Cast

• Matt Dillon as Bob Hughes
• Kelly Lynch as Dianne
• James Le Gros as Rick
• Heather Graham as Nadine
• Max Perlich as David
• James Remar as Gentry
• Grace Zabriskie as Mrs. Hughes
• William S. Burroughs as Tom

Literary source

The screenplay by Van Sant and Yost is based on a then unpublished novel by James Fogle. The novel was published in 1990 (ISBN 0-385-30224-X) Drugstore Cowboy, by which time Fogle was released from prison - Fogle, like the characters in his story, was a long-time drug user and dealer.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack includes songs that are contemporaneous with the film's setting, along with original music by Elliot Goldenthal.

Awards

Drugstore Cowboy won the following awards:

• L.A. Film Critics Association (1988) — Best Screenplay (Dan Yost, Gus Van Sant)
• National Society of Film Critics (1988) — Best Film, Best Director
• Independent Spirit Award (1989) — Best Actor (Matt Dillon), Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor (Max Perlich)
• New York Film Critics Circle (1989) — Best Screenplay

External links

• Drugstore Cowboy at the Internet Movie Database
• Drugstore Cowboy at Allmovie
• Drugstore Cowboy at Box Office Mojo
• Filming Locations for Drugstore Cowboy