Fear and Loathing in Aspen

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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 5/5 Stars •  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 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review 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 3.5/5 Stars •  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 3/5 Stars •  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 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Absolutely loved it! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Fear and Loathing in Aspen

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