|
 |
Where the Buffalo Roam
|
by Universal Studios
Sales Rank: 18493
Price: $19.98
|
|
|
Bill Murray is in his early-career, shambling glory as Hunter S. Thompson, the gonzo journalist with a fondness for Wild Turkey and firearms. While Murray does not do as exact an impersonation of Thompson as Johnny Depp (in <I>Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas</I>), he does capture Thompson's dazed, anarchic nature. Unfortunately, the movie around him is just anarchic: a series of episodes (true or invented) from Dr. Thompson's career, circa 1968-72. The haphazard structure is probably meant to suggest the spirit of the counterculture or something, but it's just flabby storytelling. Thanks to Murray's blissful delivery, there are scenes that have a stoned giddiness to them: Thompson and his attorney (Peter Boyle) terrifying an unsuspecting hitchhiker, or Thompson alone in a men's room with Richard Nixon. Neil Young contributes some music, and Murray warbles "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" while drunkenly piloting a plane. <I>--Robert Horton</I>
Viewer Reviews
Bill Murray as Dr. Hunter S. Thompson? Amazingly he's not badly cast at all, and it's his performance that makes this movie work as often as it does. Anyone who's ever seen interview footage of HST will testify that Bill Murray does an excellent portrayal of him in his prime. While supposedly based on HST's writings, much of this movie is a lot closer to the stoner comedy of Cheech and Chong and it lacks the paranoid psychotic intensity that made HST one of the funniest satirists around. It does have some hilarious lines scattered here and there, along with some of the most absurd situations in any film comedy. At times, it almost felt like a Marx Brothers update to me. It also feels - largely due to Peter Boyle's extended supporting performance - as if a better, sharper movie lurked just under the surface waiting for a different director to bring it out.
Naturally, there's plenty of flaws in this film besides the disjointed screenplay. While set in the late 1960s/early 1970s, the film comes across as a relic of the early 1980s. Not only in pacing - although if you've watched B-movie comedies from the era you'll know what I mean. The DVD version of the film has much of the original soundtrack wiped in favor of generic rock which half-heartedly tries to sound 60s but really sounds 80s. Also, Peter Boyle and Bill Murray have surprisingly little chemistry considering their characters are fellow anarchists and supposed friends.
I suspect there are some great outtakes (which this DVD doesn't have). Nor does it have any commentary tracks. Still, this is a budget DVD, so you have to ask yourself some tough questions. If you, like I, am a Bill Murray and HST fan you'll probably want to see this movie at least once. Do what I did and opt for a used copy.
Back To Top
|
Where the Buffalo Roam
Available from Amazon
|
|
NOTICE: All product prices, availability, and specifications
are subject to verification by their respective retailers.
Copyright © 2009, Dominant Systems Corporation
info@HowlingVideo.com
Privacy Policy
Last Modified : 1-5-2009
|
