Reel Lessons: The Rum Diary

Hunter S Thompson, godfather of gonzo The Picture Desk

A movie about sailors
Close. It’s about legendary “journalist” Hunter S Thompson, whose persona is as memorable as his writing. The gun-toting, drugged-up godfather of gonzo journalism positioned himself as society’s critic.

What is gonzo journalism
Pioneered in the 1960s, the gonzo school placed the writer at the centre of the story, allowing him to report facts, narrate events and editorialise all within a single piece.

Was it any good
Yes. Many aspiring writers attempt to imitate his style but few succeed. Frustrated,...