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

A sometimes unfocused, though often illuminating film detailing Hunter's life. Too much focus on the 70s in absence of more about his childhood and latter years, but the footage of Oscar Zeta Acosta and the home videos courtesy of Anita Thompson really add some weight to the film. Not much new here for those already familiar with the man, but still an exhilarating ride through his extraordinary life.

Since I'm part of a younger generation, I'm only familiar with Thompson because of the Fear & Loathing movie. With that said, I believe this documentary really only touches on the surface of what seems like a unique and interesting guy.

Wonderful subject matter, average execution. If one isn't a fan of Thompson's going into this they may find it a bit dull or they may fall in love with the man. Note: No matter how well done, re-enacment scenes just about always feel amateur and bring down the presentation in general.

It could be better considering the subject. At times it borders on history lesson, spending a seemingly unnecessary stretch of time reviewing George McGovern's political follies. It's not comprehensive as far as learning about HST's life, but I suppose you could read a biography for that...this is mostly good for a bunch of eulogistic interviews from his friends/family, some entertaining footage of the good doc, and story time with Johnny Depp.

An adequate summation of the out of this world being that was Hunter S Thompson. Could have gone deeper but is that possible with such an out of the loop being? Nicely explained why the madness stopped.

Biography of the crazy genius that Hunter definitely was, let us understand how he fell into a trap of being an actor in this own life.

I consider Dr. Thompson one of my heroes (although the times when I really felt close to him are past), so I consciously ignored this documentary for a long time. I just knew I won't learn anything new from it, and honestly, I just wasn't interested in someone else's perspective on someone as chaotic as Hunter. Having watched it, I wasn't surprised. Competent, but grossly incomplete portrayal of this counter-culture icon. Recommended for newbies.

Romanticised overview of Thompson's life and works never quite rises above a made for TV talking heads doco, though the archival footage is artfully assembled (especially the Nixon-era segments) and the range of talking heads is quite exhaustive and informative. Punctuated by Depp's excellent readings from FEAR AND LOATHING... as well as well-chosen clips from the Gilliam film.

A basic, yet comprehensive documentary about HST. This would've been a lesser doco if it weren't for how fascinating and inspiring the man was. I wish there'd been more info on his later life, notably his illnesses and his awesome funeral. Groovy soundtrack, though

For a straight biographical documentary there's not much to ask for other than that the subject is adequately researched and presented with respect, and in that regard Gibney manages to make some effort in accomplishing those modest goals. It's not the most exhaustive biography but there's a fair amount of archival footage and insightful interviews to make the whole affair worthwhile to watch. It's likely that those familiar with Hunter's work will take the most out of it since it's quite sober.

A worthy enough documentary that follows the traditional talking heads meets archive footage formula. It delivers pretty much what one expects, a slightly glossy overview of Thompson's life. I'm guessing it's been made by ardent fans of the great man, so it's not exactly a warts-and-all account of his life. I'm not sure any filmmaker could adequately cover the subject in 2 hours, but this is a decent attempt.

Gotta love HST :)

A great documentary! very revealing! Well constructed and well scripted/narrated by depp. Depicts in excellent manor the major ups and downs of the life of one of Americas most interesting writers. a must see for the fans of hunter S!!

Interesting documentary about a singular character.

This documentary focuses too deeply on the professional and public sides of the man. There is a private side to Thompson that was touched on, perhaps only due to the lifestyle of the subject, but never truly embraced. Maybe it would be too hard to get funding to make a documentary that would come across as fully supporting massive drug abuse, international drug smuggling, armed assaults on neighbors and painting 'Fuck the Pope' on an America's Cup yacht.

"Its heady mix of excess and inquiry doesn't really take off until the reptiles overrunning the Casino Strip go from projections of a substance-lubricated brain to manifestations of journalistic fury." - Fernando F. Croce

Too much eulogizing, not enough stories involving inadvertent death threats to Jack Nicholson.

Easily the most entertaining documentary I've ever seen. Hunter S Thompson is an incredible historical figure and gloriously difficult to contextualize. That he could eviscerate someone like Pat Buchanan and still have the man praise him so genuinely is some kind of feat.

I found this very interesting, especially as I'm a big fan of Hunter. He seriously had a good life.

I was hoping to love this docu since Thompson is such a fascinating guy. I learned a few things here and there but some of the presentation choices were lame and dull. Other parts were more inspired. This is a decent doc for people who want to know a bit about the man but don't know tons already.

Hunter S. Thompson is one of the coolest names ever and his personality only continues to intrigue me. Not sure a documentary about his life could be dull. Seems a bit unfocused at times but a true variety of interviews makes up for it. Has everything else you could want including; movies, photos, voice recordings which only fuels this ridiculous man's legend.

Fine documentary trying to capture the essence of the great, late Gonzo journalist himself. There's a strange political sup-plot in the middle of the film, that could have easily been cut, but it does not deter from the final image of Thompson, as an intelligent - almost brilliant - man, tormented forever by those glorious writing highs and oh so crushing lows.

A great look and insight into the life of one of the most prolific writers of this generation. Many stunning images caught on film and a great portrayal of him through his words and words from friends.

It is no less than an understatement to think that Hunter S. Thompson is not a large influence in the whole fear and loathing lifestyal. This impressive look into his life and work allows us to reminisant on old times and question what we did and thought and is it almost the same now? Johnny Depp was just the Cherry on the top of this delight!

Well made and thorough account of Thmpson's bizarre life, if a little enthrall to the myth and very sympathetic to his vast shortcomings.

"Gonzo is a definitive, accessible and even inspiring screen biography put together with thought and vitality."

14 Subat 09 Cumartesi, 12:30, emek sinemasi, if 2009 & H. Thompson'i tanimayanlar icin oldukca bilgilendirici bir belgesel oldugu dogru. taniyanlarin bakis acisina sahip olamayacagim cnku bn ilk defa bu belgesel ile kesfettim Thompson'i. Basindan oldukca is gecmis olmasina ragmen, belgesel bir sure sonra sikmaya basliyor. depresif bir belgesel, tipki Thompson gibi... Gazetecilik ile ilgili oldukca enterasan ayrintilar yakalanabilir. dslr makinemi aldiktan bir saat sonra izledim. :)

Focuses too heavily on the 70's (although that's understandable) and doesn't quite catch the essence of the true Hunter S. Thompson - although that could be a mission impossible. An interesting protagonist, though, and well worth a documentary. Some funny anecdotes as well, though could've had more of them.

Kind of a slam dunk, really; is it even *possible* to make a dull film about this man? Rich, fascinating portrait of a legend