Where the Buffalo Roam Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Bill Murray does his best Hunter S. Thompson impression while accidentally stumbling through the 70s with a revolutionary lawyer, mostly high.

🍿 Where the Buffalo Roam: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Hunter S. Thompson and Carl Lazlo

The movie begins with Hunter S. Thompson, a gonzo journalist, struggling to meet a deadline while battling substance abuse. Flashbacks introduce his early career and his association with Carl Lazlo, a radical attorney based on Oscar Zeta Acosta. Their initial encounter is shown when Lazlo enters Thompson’s hospital room in a wild manner, setting the tone for their chaotic relationship.

Legal Battles and Journalistic Pursuits

Thompson and Lazlo navigate the legal system, fighting for teenagers arrested for marijuana possession. Lazlo’s courtroom antics and Thompson’s reporting highlight the injustices of the era. Thompson’s publisher, Marty, is constantly exasperated by his antics and late submissions.

Super Bowl and Revolutionary Ideals

In 1972, Thompson is assigned to cover the Super Bowl but gets sidetracked by Lazlo, who is now involved in smuggling weapons for revolutionaries. Thompson witnesses the futility of Lazlo’s actions and finds himself caught in bizarre and dangerous situations, including a raid at an airfield.

Presidential Campaign Trail

Thompson covers the presidential campaign, encountering Richard Nixon. He joins the press plane, where his antics lead to him being thrown off and placed on the ‘zoo’ plane. He uses hallucinogens to impersonate another reporter. Thompson has a surreal bathroom encounter with Nixon himself.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Hunter S. Thompson (Bill Murray): A gonzo journalist whose drug-fueled adventures and unconventional reporting methods blur the line between reality and satire.
• Lazlo (Peter Boyle): Hunter S. Thompson’s wild and idealistic attorney, who becomes involved in radical political activities.
• Marty Lewis (Bruno Kirby): The long-suffering publisher of BLAST Magazine, constantly frustrated by Thompson’s antics and late submissions.
• Harris (Rene Auberjonois): A straight-laced reporter from the Post who unwillingly becomes a victim of Thompson’s drug-induced chaos on the campaign trail.
• R.G. Armstrong (Judge Simpson): The judge in the trial with Lazlo.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Hunter S. Thompson: “In my case, you know, I hate to advocate drugs or liquor, violence, insanity to anyone. But in my case it’s worked.” – Thompson’s response to a student asking if drugs and alcohol would make them a better writer during a Q&A session.
• Dr. Hunter S. Thompson: “We can’t stop here, this is bat country!” – A humorous line referencing drug-induced paranoia, although more famously associated with ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,’ it captures the essence of Thompson’s drug-fueled experiences.
• Dr. Hunter S. Thompson: “It never got weird enough for me.” – Thompson’s final reflection on his experiences, delivered in the film’s closing narration, showcasing his relentless pursuit of the bizarre and unconventional.
• Richard Nixon: “Fuck the doomed!” – Nixon’s blunt and callous response to Thompson’s question about what the country is doing for the ‘Doomed,’ highlighting the political cynicism Thompson often criticized.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,659,377
• Worldwide Gross: $6,659,377

💥 Where the Buffalo Roam Reviews

Personal Review

As a huge Bill Murray fan, I went into this movie expecting pure comedic gold, and for the most part, I wasn’t disappointed. Murray’s take on Hunter S. Thompson is manic and hilarious, and Peter Boyle is great as the equally unhinged Carl Lazlo. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of ‘Fear and Loathing,’ the courtroom scene and the Super Bowl shenanigans had me in stitches. It’s definitely a must-see for fans of Murray’s early work!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Bill Murray”
  • “Viewers interested in Hunter S. Thompson and gonzo journalism”
  • “Those who appreciate counter-culture stories from the 1970s”
  • “Viewers who enjoy episodic comedies”
  • “Those interested in films about writers and journalism”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Frequent drug and alcohol use”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Depictions of violence”
  • “Suggestive themes”

Professional Reviews

• Newsweek: “Jack Kroll of Newsweek: Screenwriter John Kaye has reduced Thompson’s career to a rubble of disjointed episodes, and the relentless mayhem becomes tiresome chaos rather than liberating comic anarchy.
• AllMovie: “Though more episodic than biographical, Where the Buffalo Roam captures the anarchic spirit of Hunter S. Thompson through Bill Murray’s committed performance and a soundtrack that perfectly complements the era. The humor is definitely offbeat, but fans of Gonzo journalism will find plenty to enjoy.
• Blu-ray.com: “A fine snapshot of Hunter S. Thompson and his legacy, where it serves as an excellent companion piece to “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”. The narrative is disjointed and a little bizarre, but the entertainment value is quite high.

Audience Reactions

Bill Murray nails Hunter S. Thompson’s mannerisms and voice.: Most viewers agree that Murray’s performance is the highlight of the film, capturing the essence of Thompson’s persona.

The film is a chaotic and funny, but may not appeal to everyone.: It’s noted that those unfamiliar with Thompson’s work or expecting a traditional narrative might find the movie disjointed.

Overall Consensus: Where the Buffalo Roam is a cult classic that offers a humorous, albeit disjointed, glimpse into the life of Hunter S. Thompson, primarily remembered for Bill Murray’s memorable performance.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “To prepare for his role, Bill Murray lived with Hunter S. Thompson at his Colorado ranch, engaging in drinking, shooting, and other activities to immerse himself in the character.”
• “The film’s soundtrack originally featured songs by Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, but due to licensing issues, some versions of the film, particularly DVD releases, have replaced these with generic music.”
• “The character of Carl Lazlo is based on Oscar Zeta Acosta, a Chicano lawyer and activist who was a close friend of Hunter S. Thompson. He also served as the basis for Dr. Gonzo in ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Where the Buffalo Roam?

As of today, information on where to stream, rent, or purchase “Where the Buffalo Roam” can be found using online search engines. Platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu may offer the movie for streaming or purchase. Availability may vary based on region and current licensing agreements.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Where the Buffalo Roam, you might like these similar films:

• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998): Another adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s work, this film offers a more visually extravagant and hallucinatory take on his gonzo journalism.
• The Rum Diary (2011): Based on Thompson’s early novel, this film explores similar themes of anti-establishment rebellion and journalistic integrity in a vibrant, tropical setting.
• Almost Famous (2000): Captures the spirit of the 1970s music scene and a young journalist’s journey, mirroring Thompson’s own experiences as a counter-culture observer.
• Withnail & I (1987): A cult classic that shares a similar darkly comedic tone and explores themes of drug use and disillusionment in a different cultural context.

🛒 Where the Buffalo Roam Related Products

• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: The Criterion Collection version of Terry Gilliam’s adaptation featuring Johnny Depp, offering a visually stunning and hallucinatory trip into Hunter S. Thompson’s world.
• Hunter S. Thompson: Gonzo: The Life: This biography dives into the complex life of Hunter S. Thompson, offering insights into his work, motivations, and personal struggles.
• Hunter S. Thompson Quote Poster – ‘Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die’: A stylish poster featuring a memorable quote by Hunter S. Thompson, perfect for decorating a home office or study.
• Gonzo: A Graphic Biography of Hunter S. Thompson: A comic book adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s life, it uses visuals to bring the story to life for both readers and Hunter S. Thompson enthusiasts.

🎧 Soundtrack

Where the Buffalo Roam features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Keep on Chooglin” – performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival
• “Ode to Joy” – performed by Beethoven
• “Purple Haze” – performed by Jimi Hendrix

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Nixon where the buffalo roam

Ever wondered what Nixon has to do with ‘Where the Buffalo Roam’? This short clip puts a hilarious spin on the film, using Nixon’s image to add a satirical layer to the story. You have to see this!

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