Gonzo journalism has been defined as journalism written subjectively using a first person narrative.  This type of writing was spearheaded by the late journalist Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, famous for his Rolling Stone story on Hell’s Angels.  His life and work is given an insightful adult examination by filmmaker Alex Gibney in his new documentary narrated by Johnny Depp.

Director Gibney is, in my opinion the best documentary filmmaker around.  His last two docs TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE an Oscar winner and ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM are arguably this decade’s most prolific works.  He is extremely precise in his story layout, meticulous in details of his subject and backs his work with proper research.

In GONZO however, Gibney lays back a bit and lets his film flow with more humour and bite.  Like the Gonzo style of writing, his film blends fact and fiction comfortably.  His use of extensive footage from the film FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, based on one of Gibney’s novels creates the atmosphere and anarchy of Hunter’s lifestyle.  The Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro scenes are as hilarious and fresh as the first time I viewed the film. 

For a film biography, Gibney provides sufficient footage of his subject (Hunter’s stay with the Hell’s Angels’ and lost of his musings) and assembled an impressive list of interviewees that include former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, senator George McGovern, author Tom Wolfe and his friends and ex-wife.  Gibney’s film also contains a fair amount of profanity and sarcasm – necessary as his subject was full of them.  The soundtrack contains an excellent selection of 70’s songs like the quintessential “Who’ll Stop the Rain?” by CCR and American Pie by Don Mclean. 

GONZO might not be appreciated by the prim and proper.  Those who have abused substances (and I am not admitting to anything here,) will definitely identify with this documentary (just as they would with the film FEAR AND LOATHING) and find the experience all the more entertaining.  Still, one has to hand it to Gibney for making a daring doc on a man best described as one high most of the time.