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Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson [Documentary]
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| RJT |
I posted this on another forum I post on, but thought it might lead to a bit of discussion on here as well:
| quote: | Originally posted by RJT
http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/05...ter-s-thompson/
So obviously those who know me (and likely even those who don't) have a good idea how interested I am in Thompson, his life, his writing, and his impact on politics the last 40 or so years (perhaps becoming even more influential after death), so it should come as no surprise that I recommend this documentary.
I will say, however, that it isn't out of shear and unabashed fanboy love for Thompson - because in many ways this documentary goes a long way towards removing a lot of the myth surrounding his life, and exploring the notion that he really had two distinct personalities - a brilliant, generous, caring, and unwaveringly loyal friend/husband/son, and also a deeply disturbed, sometimes violent, and troubled man.
Probably one of the most interesting accounts given in the film is that of the infamous "Hells Angels Gangbang" - I had a very difficult time getting through that section at the end of "Hells Angels", but hearing people talk about it on film is almost worse, because you get a very clear sense of how that moment of disillusionment both disgusted Thompson, and would also become the dominant theme in his writing. The pattern just seems to become painfully clear that in each of his books he is seeking something he will inevitably never find, and each time the prospect and promise of some new ideal, group, or individual seems to be good, it all goes to hell.
Anyway, I'm sure a fair number have seen it, but those who haven't and are at all interested in Thompson should. Really one of the best documentaries I've seen.  |
Ch-check it out. |
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| wienerschnitzel |
| roger that! |
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| RJT |
Also, I cannot recommend the book of (roughly) the same title.
It's alright, but I think Jann Wenner holds some kind of self-conscious grudge against Thompson that even he hates himself for.
It's basically like you know he doesn't want to completely trash Thompson, but the way the book is edited is at times very unfair.
This film is much more even-handed, at least IMO. |
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| RJT |
Also figured I'd share this here. Last year Myra found this book in a used book store in Milwaukee, and it's probably one of the coolest little Thompson artifacts I own.
It's a book by Ralph Steadman that is effectively just him sketching Thompson's favorite cat:
I couldn't even find a decent image of the cover on the whole of the internets (well, Google images), so I had to take some pics to show someone else. |
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| Rodrico |
| Really? I thought both gave interesting looks into the life of Hunter Thompson, thought I enjoyed the book much better because it tells funnier stories than the movie, regardless of what light it shows Hunter in. Personally I like seeing Hunter Thompson as an with a twisted sense of humour. The movie seemed more poetic and commemorating the life of Hunter Thompson's work, as opposed to telling you how he really was as a person. |
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| RJT |
| quote: | Originally posted by Rodrico
Really? I thought both gave interesting looks into the life of Hunter Thompson, thought I enjoyed the book much better because it tells funnier stories than the movie, regardless of what light it shows Hunter in. Personally I like seeing Hunter Thompson as an with a twisted sense of humour. The movie seemed more poetic and commemorating the life of Hunter Thompson's work, as opposed to telling you how he really was as a person. |
See, that's the thing - I think what I find most appealing about Thompson is that he did have such a dark, ed up side. People who glorify him as some sort of faultless idol are really missing the point - because it's his own shortcomings that really give his writings their substance. Knowing that not only were the ideals he was searching for bound to be shattered, but also that he himself failed to live up to the supposed moral and ethical standard he preached so often, really (to me) gives his writing that much more meaning.
Even though so much of his work ends in darkness, the hope he had that something better, something good was out there, is really empowering to me.
Time and time again he picked himself back up, did a line, and chased some other part of the American dream. |
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| enydo |
| I'll try and give this a go, I've always found the guy fascinating. |
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| Groundhog Boy |
| I saw this back on the 4th of July when it showed in NYC. Good documentary, highly recommended if you're interested in his work. |
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| Silky Johnson |
Rented it the other night but was dead tired when I started watching it. I think I got about 20 to 30 mins in before I fell asleep. :/
edit: I saw past the HA gang bang part. |
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| djhaziel |
I didn't know about this... :(
I've been a big fan of Fear n loathin ever since it came out and after 10 years i still worship that movie ,
I will def. get the documentary this week.
"who are these people... these faces... where do they come from???":tongue2 |
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| Stasis |
I saw the movie a few weeks back and enjoyed it, although I felt it dwelled on his suicide a little too long.
Overall, I thought it did an good job of pointing out the disparities between his pop-culture (err, stoner culture?) idolization and his real personality, which I guess even he fully acknowledged could just never be squared. My favorite parts were those dealing with his early days, running with the Hell's Angels, running for sheriff, etc which I think get overlooked in light of all the fear and loathing stuff. |
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