CULT DVD Review

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

 Overall: 67%

 Feature: 70%

 Extras: 60%

 Top 1000 Disc

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (2008)

If there was one person who embodied the counter-culture movement, it was Hunter S. Thompson; A radical, a ground breaking journalist and an individual.

His life story is the subject matter of Gonzo: the Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson. It is a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of his career; covering his humble beginnings as a Hells Angels biographer to his suicide in 2006.

Quite a touching portrait has been committed to film here. The first half hour in particular goes into great depth on his writings and escapades during the 60’s, when his writing was at its most poignant. The civil rights movement, Vietnam, JFK and the Kent State massacre; all events which influenced Thompson deeply, as he continued to write on the upheavals.

An excellent narration is aptly provided by Johnny Depp, who played Raul Duke in Terry Gilliam’s adaptation of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. There are also people from all different walks of life coming together in this film, providing us with a picture of the man himself. Among others, we see former president Jimmy Carter, partner in crime Ralph Steadman, members of the Hells Angels and of course his wife and son, all giving us their perspectives on the life and times of Thompson.

What is strange is that a lot of the interviewees are people who were not only on the wrong side of Thompson’s sharp criticism, but who were also subjected to some quite slanderous writing by Thompson. Despite this, many are willing to sit and speak favourably of him, a testament to the man’s writing prowess.

Though the film gives us a great insight into the evolution of the man’s writing, you cannot help but feel it is overly glamorised. It is hard to believe that his extensive use of drugs and alcohol didn’t have an effect on his personal life. Maybe he was someone who could do what he did and stay in control, but it’s quite a stretch of the imagination.

What is documented here is the history of Thompsons work. It would have been nice to see more analysis on his home life, but for what it is, this is a documentary well worth watching; especially if you are a fan of the good doctor.

EXTRAS:

Commentary by Director Alex Gibney:

The commentary provided on the disc is somewhat stilted. There is little that isn’t covered in the movie itself. It is almost as though the director didn’t trust the viewer to read between the lines.

Deleted and Extended Scenes:

Not really what it claims to be, rather a miscellaneous grouping of recordings, interviews and one scene. Only of interest to the true Thompson fan; and if you are that much of a fan you would probably have seen/heard much of the material. Noteworthy though is a bizarre LA Examiner advert where the Editor approaches Thompson and asks to work with them. To which the Doctor replies “we’ll chase them like rats across the tundra.”

Wayward and Weary Featurette:

Tift Merritt performs a song inspired by the film. Not much to say about this, very good if it’s the kind of music you like.

Interview with Director Alex Gibney:

This is an interesting feature that has a lot of information on the production and also Gibney’s opinion on his subject matter; one of the better extras on the disc.

Steadman Drawings:

A selection of art from Thompson’s cartoonist Ralph Steadman; some new, some old, but nothing a Gonzo fan won’t have seen before.

Gallery:

A gallery full of photography of/by Thompson. There is also a selection of letters written to or from Thompson. There are some very funny pictures in here, well worth a look.

Extended Interviews:

The best extra on the disc, this is full of anecdotes about the Doctor that never made it into the film. From the mouths who knew him best, comes stories that are simply stranger than fiction.

Sean Sweeney

 

FEATURE: 70%

EXTRAS: 60%

 

OVERALL: 67%