Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride: Hunter S. Thompson on Film (2006)

A documentary on the life and death of Hunter S. Thompson.

Director:

Tom Thurman

Writer:

Tom Marksbury

Stars:

Ed Bradley, Bob Braudis, Douglas Brinkley

Cast

Credited cast:
Ed Bradley	...	Himself
Bob Braudis	...	Himself
Douglas Brinkley	...	Himself
William F. Buckley	...	Himself
Gary Busey	...	Himself
John Cusack	...	Himself
Benicio Del Toro	...	Himself
Johnny Depp	...	Himself
F.X. Feeney	...	Himself
Gary Hart	...	Himself
Art Linson	...	Himself
Leonard Maltin	...	Himself
George McGovern	...	Himself
Bill Murray	...	Himself
Laila Nabulsi	...	Herself

Storyline

"Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride: Hunter S. Thompson On Film is a personal, intimate look at Thompson with a special emphasis on his Hollywood relationships. It captures the legacy and "gonzo" spirit of one of this century's most notorious figures - a man whose life and work regularly intersected with some of the biggest names in the world of film, politics, journalism and sports. The documentary features interviews with Hunter's inner circle of family and friends, but the thrust of the film is focused on the manner in which his life often overlapped with numerous Hollywood celebrities who became his close friends, such as Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas); Bill Murray (Where the Buffalo Roam); Sean Penn, John Cusack, Hunter's wife Anita, son Juan, former Senators George McGovern and Gary Hart, Tom Wolfe, William F. Buckley, Gary Busey, Harry Dean Stanton, Ralph Steadman and others.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 2006 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

FBN Productions, Starz Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Features Where the Buffalo Roam (1980)

User Reviews

Hmm

I found the movie disappointing on an informational basis, but it is better at conveying the social context in which Hunter S. Thompson lived. Upon reflection the movie's faults shine even brighter. During the movie you do "take a ride" but the movie is too much like a love letter than a biography or even a deep look. The movie's fault is that it really doesn't take you anywhere, it just kind of informs you of what his "friends" thought of him. Not for the uninitiated Hunter S. Thompson lovers.

Achieves a moment of affection for the mystic Hunter S. Thompson, but only a moment. 7/10