Reviewed by Michael Edwards
Features Hunter S Thompson, Johnny Depp (narrator), Ralph Steadman,
Anita Thompson, Jann Wenner, Jimmy Carter, George McGovern, Jimmy Buffett | Written by Alex Gibney
UK certification 15 | UK RRP £17.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 120 minutes | Directed by Alex Gibney
Critics across the web are clambering all over each other to praise this documentary, the subject matter of which is summed up neatly by the title. But while the candour of its name is refreshing, the content leaves a lot to be desired. So why, then, such high acclaim? Is it because it's a comprehensive documentary of this important literary figure? No. Is it because it offers great insights into what made him so unique? No. Then it must have some superb new footage? No. A personal angle that gets under the skin of his popularity then? No. It's because 90% of film critics wish they were Hunter S Thompson.
His "gonzo" journalism was a personal style that flowed naturally whenever his interest was piqued — a talent most journalists would kill for. What's more he lived a life of drug-fuelled excess and was still supported by editorial and publishing big wigs wherever he went, and even made writing sexy. Blinded by Thompson's coolness like a geeky school kid, critics seem to have missed the fact that this film is overly long, excessively rambling and very lightweight in detail and insight.
The overall feel of the documentary is that it is a simple chronology of the life of an exceptional man. Taking in many key moments, it has a few handfuls of quality footage and sound recordings that allow us to dip into the roller coaster ride of the gonzo lifestyle. A lifestyle that was not just crazy drug-spress and complete immersion in the culture of the time, but was frequently depressing realisations of how hollow this philosophy could be. When Hunter S. Thompson infiltrated the Hells Angels he became enamoured with their free spirit culture, before having his rose-tinted spectacle ripped from his face on one night of excess. Likewise his flirtation with politics when running for Sheriff of Aspen began with a wild ride and ended with bitter disappointed. Stories like these provide valuable commentary on this great literary figure. Sadly, they are not the focus of this documentary.
The problem is that as soon as we get under the skin of Thompson, director Alex Gibney shies away and snuggles back into the myth he loves so much. We are jerked from gritty involvement with his world to another reading of Fear and Loathing by Johnny Depp as if that were the most natural thing in the world, then spun off into clips of the same film with Depp prancing around on screen in all his surreal glory. This is really not the way to create a cohesive commentary on a much-loved figure.
Although I was slightly buoyed by the welcome footage of Thompson's funeral (his ashes were fired out of a massive cannon while fireworks exploded overhead) I left the cinema feeling bored and a little sleepy. At two hours, the film was just too long. It lacked focus and the directors hand was clearly visible in the construction of the documentary, but yet contributed nothing to the narrative. The result is the twin failure to provide either a comprehensive account of Thompson and his literary creation or a personal take on a man whose influence on many is a deeply personal thing. Very disappointing.
EXTRAS *** (reviewed by Justin Bateman)
Deleted/Extended scenes – The first two ‘deleted scenes’ are audio extracts from Thompson’s trip to Las Vegas with George Acosta, the basis for the Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas book. They were probably important on some level for that medium but here just come across as two blokes mumbling at each other. The rest are a mixture of silent footage and largely irrelevant clips of Thompson which seem to have been included only to pad out the extras.
Extended interviews – There are a dozen interviews here with people featured in the film and almost all of them are fascinating extra anecdotes which perhaps didn’t fit into the narrative of the film. Interestingly, the interviewees are universally more relaxed in this form, making them more enjoyable than those in Gonzo itself. It also make you wonder whether a few more of these and bit less of Johnny Depp reading out passages of Thompson’s own writing might have made the film more insightful about the man himself.
Wayward and Weary – A song called ‘Wayward and Weary’ about Thompson. And a very nice little ditty it is too.
Interview with Alex Gibney – As with the extended interviews, this 20 minute section provides at least as much insight into Hunter S Thompson the man, as the film itself had managed in two rambling hours.
Steadman drawings – A collection of illustrator Ralph Steadman’s drawings of Thompson.
Gallery – Stills taken by Thompson himself. Probably for hardcore fans only, this bit.
Trailer – The original theatrical trailer.