Where the Buffalo Roam (1980)

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Boring

Better Late Then Never

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Before Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas there was Where the Buffalo roam before Johnny Depp there was Bill Murray. A loose biography of Hunter S Thompsons filled with wild behavior fueled by drugs in the late 60s into the Nixon era. The stories are taken from when he was a journalist for the Rolling Stones.This movie does not have the visuals unlike Fear and Loathing known for the vivid hallucinations and images. More in depth about the late 60s turn 70s American culture. Its not all about HST but the relationship between him and his attorney.Opening scenes sets up the story with HST isolated with his dog in his cabin typing an article about his attorney. Peter Boyle plays his attorney Carl Laslo also loosely based on Dr. Gonzo from FNL. Simultaneously driving HST typing his views on America and the legal system. At the courthouse Carl Laslo defending a group of teenagers charged with minor possession of marijuana. After a ridiculous sentencing ( 5 years for a joint) an outrage Carl Laslo threw the judge across the bench telling HST to "tell the world". Few years later he is covering the super bowl haven't seen Carl Laslo since the incident Carl convince him to leave the super bowl. Talking about revolution and change Carl and his group of militants loads up a small airplane with weapons leaving for the revolution but HST doesn't leave. During the Nixon Campaign plane once again see Carl attorney turned revolutionary trying to convince him but decided that he is a "raving maniac". Back at his cabin finish his article and ends with one last monologue.From the beginning you can tell it was good choice to choose Bill Murray to play Hunter S Thompson copying his behavior and speech. His narrative voice-over throughout this movie displays his thoughts and views using his style that he known for. Not filled with wild antics and chaos like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas more of an insight on the gonzo journalist.

I have been a fan of Thompson as a writer and person for at least ten years now and read most of his books and articles as well as a couple of books about him. Thompson's life- and writing style is, if anything, unique and a movie about him that features a structured and clear plot would go completely against what defined Thompson. Having said that I will admit that "Buffalo" seems fractured and does not have a definite beginning and ending, but Murray captures a lot of Thompson's mannerisms and the episodes the movie is composed around are all interesting and fun to watch. All in all I would say that the movie is a success as it keeps the audience entertained and adapts Thompson's writing style adequately. If you are interested in Thompson and like Bill Murray as an actor, "Buffalo" will be right up your alley and a comparison with Gilliam's "Fear and Loathing" is interesting, especially when you've already watched the real Thompson in one of the documentaries.

Where the Buffalo Roam is a semi-biographic, loosely based on reality, film about Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. But of course, with Thompson, who's to say what's reality? While it in no way equals Fear & Loathing as a cinematic creation, Where the Buffalo Roam is a very worthy film by its own right, and as a portrayal of the actual Thompson it's probably better; Murray does a wonderful job, maybe not a eccentric as Depp but closer to the man himself; and the movie is very successful in showing just what made Thompson a unique individual, a cult figure and a landmark personality in the world of journalism. Peter Boyle is also terrific, giving depth and complexity to a character that was more a grotesque caricature when played by Benicio Del Toro in Gilliam's film.

I only recently heard of this movie, and i'm quite surprised that I didn't hear of it earlier. Seeing as I watched and loved Fear and loathing in las vegas with Johnny Depp, I was super stoked to watch this. After seeing the first few scenes, I noticed how well Bill Murray portrays Hunter Thompson. It's completely from the same world as Depp's variation, With more of an 80's feel. This wacky story may not appeal to everyone, people looking for a deep story line or a lot of action won't like this. But if you are into Hunter Thompsons work, or Bill Murray, you will definitely enjoy this walk on the wild side7/10