An American Story
Hi. I’m at the Sundance Film Festival, where I saw Alex Gibney’s documentary about Hunter this afternoon. Just as Vladimir Nabokov’s mind mirrored his homeland — Russia, with its vast memories of good and evil, rich and profound literature, and a language tightly laced with double and triple meanings — Hunter’s mind mirrored that of America: revolutionary, passionate, and intensely complex.
So, Alex does a beautiful job of telling an American story through the life and work of our Hunter S. Thompson. As Ed Abbey said, Hunter was a seer, and Alex uses the 1965-1975 years of Hunter’s writing not just to document Hunter’s story, but also to show us about our own history as a country. Of course my job is to protect Hunter’s legacy, and I tend to be very sensitive to any unfair criticism of my husband, but I’m happy to say that Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson is an extraordinary film.
Of course, seeing the documentary for the first time, and knowing all the cheesy crap that is coming out about Hunter, I came into the screening a little tense as I sat down with Alex Gibney’s wife. But I tried to show a positive attitude, knowing that Gibney, in the past, has not been interested in sensationalizing for money – plus I had been working with his research crew of Don Fleming, Eva, and others during the making of the film. This is the best documentary I’ve seen on Hunter to date and I highly recommend it.
Hunter’s earlier work, which is the sole focus of Alex’s documentary is a great monument to America’s history: Hunter's work on the Hell's Angels, the McGovern Campaign, Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas show us how we got here, to this America we live in now. Want to know how Nixon managed to kill the American Dream? Alex chronicles the story through interviews and Hunter's writing during that period. Hunter’s prolific work during the last years of his life, which focused a great deal on the 21st century crisis, tells us about our future and is hinted at in the film. Jimmy Carter, Ralph Steadman, Doug Brinkley, Pat Buchanan, Tim Crouse, George McGovern, Johnny Depp and others do a great job telling the tale. Ralph Steadman is fantastic as ever. I make some comments in the film about Hunter's very early years, and his reaction to the 2004 Bush election.
It is extremely well researched, well funded, and I must say mostly unbiased. It sure is NOT a valentine. Hunter’s ex-wife, Sondi Wright, tells most of the story in front of an entertaining, psychedelic background, & in the end, basically says Hunter died a loser, despite the fact she hadn’t lived with him for over 30 years. Gary Hart calls Hunter’s Eagleton coverage “infantile” (that, coming from Mr. Monkey Business). And of course Jann gets his jabs in about Hunter. But in all, Gibney keeps it relatively fair and the love shines through.
But watching Hunter’s image again on the big screen, hearing his voice on the surround sound, and all the archival footage that I hadn't even seen before, left me so emotional I had to have a good cry with my dear friend George McGovern afterwards. George already knows my sense of regret about failing as a wife to protect Hunter from depression & dark forces from certain people. And tells me that it's grandiose to think that I could stop God's will. I didn't mask my feelings of regret very well in the film -- but the film itself is well done: Gibney does a beautiful job of keeping the narrative about Hunter's life and work trhough the words of people who knew him best during the 1965-1975 years.
Anyway, McGovern is in the film and gives his astute assessment of the essence of Hunter’s patriotism. In addition to our personal talk, the senator and I had a long-overdue discussion about the movie, Hunter’s work, and George’s current political views. We also talked about the article he wrote in the Washington Post a few weeks ago (I posted it earlier). So talking to the senator on the phone brought a smile back to my face, and I'll fill you in on his feelings about Hillary, Barack, and Bush in another blog entry. Much to tell!!
It's been an emotional, but good day. I also talked to Shelby, Doug, John Walsh, and my mom. So all is well in the world.
But I gotta brush my hair and run to the reception dinner.
Your friend, at Sundance,
Anita Thompson
P.S. Tonight, my friend, (on his way to the Sudan) Stacey McCain, emailed me after reading my blog to say he might print cards that say “will sensationalize for money.” Gee why didn’t we think of this sooner! Ha!
