Not a bad film detailing the making of Hunter S Thompson as we know him but not great, either. Depp expectedly gives the best performance with his usual facial twitches, but looks more like an Abercrombie and Fitch model than the hangover zombie he should resemble. Kudos to a 47 year old passing for a 22 yo. Every other character is boring, even Eckhart's. Ribisi's closet nazi 400% proof rum drinker as a future ghost of an exaggerated HST is a bit too freaky to be eccentric or wise, but nice try. A few funny moments but too labored and not laugh out loud. Visually stunning and some overlapping themes like colonial capitalism, journalism funded by the corporation (manufacturing of consent and so forth), working for the man, plight of the locals, the underbelly of the American dream. A few good lines keep the dialogue slightly above par. Depp's character starts working for the man but discovers his voice and acid.