Gonzo: the Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson Issue #36

Directed by Alex Gibney

By Erin DeJesus
Published: June 1st, 2008 | 4:56pm

Hunter S. Thompson has become, sadly, a caricature of himself: a cantankerous bald man with a floppy hat and oversized sunglasses, a cigarette hanging from his mouth, and a pistol in his hand. Thompson’s excessive drug use was immortalized in his most famous novel, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and his alcoholism rivaled that of other great literary drunks. But thankfully, Gonzo, the latest documentary by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side), pushes past Thompson’s public persona and places focus back where it belongs: his passion for writing.

Thompson, considered the founder of the Gonzo movement, made huge contributions to American journalism, with flamboyant (and sometimes fictional) exposés of American subculture (1966’s Hell’s Angels) and the political machine (his coverage of the Chicago riots of 1968 and 1972’s Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail).

Gibney’s documentary picks up right where Thompson’s career starts, relying heavily on his own words (read aloud by Johnny Depp) and interviews with ex-wives, friends, and colleagues. Rolling Stone editor Jann Wenner shares behind-the-scenes details of Thompson’s famous pieces; longtime partner-in-crime Ralph Steadman reminisces about their inspired partnership; political friends and foes provide historical context alongside a blaring ‘60s soundtrack. Crazier anecdotes are offset nicely by Thompson’s quieter attributes. In interviews, he’s surprisingly soft-spoken, and his failed attempt to run for Aspen County Sheriff reveals a deep passion for American politics and doing what he believes is right.

But the film’s greatest strength is in drawing parallels between Thompson’s coverage of the 1972 Presidential election and today’s political climate. While we see Thompson denouncing the Vietnam War, slandering Presidential candidates, and campaigning for the anti-war George McGovern, Gibney splices in images of George W. Bush and the Iraq conflict—to stunning effect. The segment is the longest and best of the film, simultaneously showcasing Thompson’s idealistic quest for “good” and his capacity for extreme hatred.

Given that passion, it’d be interesting to see Thompson’s take on the 2008 election (unsurprisingly, he loathed Bush), but the writer committed suicide—via a gunshot to the head—in 2005. Gonzo provides a fitting tribute. Yes, there are funny bits about hallucinogens and scary stories recounting drunken rages, but ultimately, with fun details and in many of Thompson’s own words, Gonzo captures the man behind the sunglasses as a talented writer and a conflicted—but three-dimensional—force.