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

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

Documentary · 2008

Fueled by a raging libido, Wild Turkey, and superhuman doses of drugs, Thompson was a true "free lance, " goring sacred cows with impunity, hilarity, and a steel-eyed conviction for writing wrongs. Focusing on the good doctor's heyday, 1965 to 1975, the film includes clips of never-before-seen (nor heard) home movies, audiotapes, and passages from unpublished manuscripts.

Movie details

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

2008 Documentary 2h 0m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.9 / 10

Community rating

Fueled by a raging libido, Wild Turkey, and superhuman doses of drugs, Thompson was a true "free lance, " goring sacred cows with impunity, hilarity, and a steel-eyed conviction for writing wrongs. Focusing on the good doctor's heyday, 1965 to 1975, the film includes clips of never-before-seen (nor heard) home movies, audiotapes, and passages from unpublished manuscripts.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

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The archetype split

Who fights over Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson?

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Alex Gibney

Written by

Alex Gibney

Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter S. Thompson

Self (archive footage)

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp

Narrator (voice)

S

Sonny Barger

Self

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali

Self (archive footage)

Warren Beatty

Warren Beatty

Self (archive footage)

George W. Bush

George W. Bush

Self (archive footage)

Edmund Muskie

Edmund Muskie

Self (archive footage)

Court is in session

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

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.