Fear and Loathing in Aspen

Released Jul 23, 2021

1 hr. 25 min.

Drama

List

60%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Fed-up with local pollution problems, journalist and activist Hunter S. Thompson challenges the establishment by running for sheriff of Aspen, Colo., in 1970.

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Mums T

This film does a great job of capturing the essence of gonzo journalism and Hunter S. Thompson's legacy in the state of Colorado. He may not have won the election for Sheriff in these parts, but he won the heart of America in the long-run, and that's what counts. F*** the haters!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/15/23

Full Review

Jeff N

Great subject matter, writing, direction, acting, and cinematography. Seriously, one of the best Hunter S. Thompson based films ever made. If you like the man, or just want a good film based on historical events and about democracy in America then I would recommend this. It's a lot of fun and in today's political climate it's very relevant.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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anthony b

A surprisingly impressive, albeit slight effort that somewhat showcases the monumental performance by Jay Bulger, the first actor to successfully humanize Hunter S. Thompson.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Pretty average. It reminded quite a bit of A Stupid and Futile Gesture (even though this wasn't a comedy). Bulger was a fine Hunter S. Thompson but it's a tough role to fill after Johnny Depp (though I'll take this performance over The Rum Diary).

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Some have pointed out that this film lacks the big-budget Hollywood theatrics of Terry Gilliam's over-the-top (but wonderfully zany) interpretation of "Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas", and I agree. Whether by design or default, this more stripped down and focused approach is part of what gives "Aspen" its charm. It feels like a genuine and intimate throwback, an appropriately Gonzo-style, and very human characterization of Hunter (the man, before the legend) during a pivotal and uncertain period, both personally and politically. This seemingly-forgotten microcosmic series of events, in all its glorious peculiarity, produces broader socio-political themes that highlight the fragility of the American Dream. The message resonates more strongly than ever in today's political climate, and serves as a somber reminder of what's at stake. Far from a caricature, the film features nuanced writing, solid directing, and fine acting, especially from Bulger, who nails not only the "classic" Hunter mannerisms and delivery, but also conveys more depth and introspection than has typically been depicted on screen. The film definitely produces laughs, but ultimately, this is not the drug-fueled absurdist comedy one might expect...thankfully! The choice to shoot much of it on real film completes the time capsule aesthetic, and the cinematography often captures stunning images of the land and resources that made America (and the West in particular) so classically and inextricably tied to a profound sense of wonder and "freedom". All in all, it is a short, easy watch, and entirely worth it. NOTE: This film has also been compared to the 2020 documentary "Freak Power: The Ballot or the Bomb," inspired by the same subject matter. While I encourage viewers to see that film as well, it should be noted that "Fear and Loathing In Aspen" was actually conceived, filmed, and scheduled to be released first, but its original premiere at SXSW in early 2020 was pushed back due to COVID. The unaffiliated documentary was released in the meantime.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Absolutely loved it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Bobby Kennedy III

Director

Jay Bulger

Hunter S. Thompson

Cheryl Hines

Actor

Amaryllis Fox

Actor

Laird Macintosh

Sheriff Carrol Whitmire

Blake Lindsley

Poll Worker

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Tony Sokol

Den of Geek

Fear and Loathing in Aspen feels good, even though it doesn’t have a strictly happy ending. But feeling good is good enough in this case. It’s short, but satisfying, and yet frustrating enough to consider giving something like this a try at home.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 17, 2022

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

There doesn't seem to be much at stake. A certain lack of focus is probably baked into any Hunter Thompson story, but in that case we need more than a tepidly reanimated Raoul Duke to hold our attention.

Rated: C

Aug 4, 2021

Full Review

Michael Talbot-Haynes

Film Threat

Saddle up for anarchy and get set for a ride, as this delivers another great Hunter S. Thompson movie to keep the weird fire alight.

Rated: 9/10

Jul 26, 2021

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Common Sense Media

Though it lacks the production value of other movies about Thompson, this loose, zany tale of sound and fury signifying nothing has just enough sheer, scruffy invention to please true Gonzo fans.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 24, 2021

Full Review

Peter Sobczynski

eFilmCritic.com

You don't have to be a fan of Thompson and his work to find Fear and Loathing in Aspen a cheap, crude and woefully inadequate work that squanders a fascinating subject.

Jul 23, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Fed-up with local pollution problems, journalist and activist Hunter S. Thompson challenges the establishment by running for sheriff of Aspen, Colo., in 1970.

Director: Bobby Kennedy III
Executive Producer: Brian Levy
Screenwriter: Bobby Kennedy III
Distributor: Shout! Studios
Production Co: Rhino Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 23, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 31, 2021

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