Based on the autobiographical book of the same name, Gonzo Girl follows Alley Russo (Camila Morrone) as a young tenacious writer who lands a job assisting a prolific and controversial novelist Walker Reade (Willem Dafoe). The character of Walker Reade is based on counterculture apostle and father of Gonzo journalism, Hunter S. Thompson. Apart from his beloved and seminal work as a writer, Thompson was known for his eccentric lifestyle fuelled by drugs, guns, and women. The film takes place in 1992, with Alley straight out of university and Walker past his prime. She relocates to Reade’s commune-like ranch in Colorado to ensure his new book gets written by the deadline. Her naivety doesn’t prepare her for how deep she will fall under the transcendental spell of Walker Reade.

Gonzo Girl is the directorial debut from the illustrious leading lady, Patricia Arquette. Pivoting behind the camera is a natural transition for Arquette, who comes from an industry family and has spent the last thirty years on film sets. She confidently and adequately steps into the role of director but struggles to paint a cohesive picture. Despite her expertise, Arquette’s first feature can’t hide from its glaring sophomoric energy.

Right off the bat, the world-building felt rushed and sloppy. The visuals emulate the 1970s while taking place in the 1990s and also feeling intrinsically modern. Maybe it has something to do with Morrone’s perfectly symmetrical yet ‘I’ve seen an iPhone’ face, or the clearly H&M ‘vintage’ wardrobe. As the film goes on, it becomes more unsure of what it’s trying to be. There are multiple drug sequences; acid trips with colourful animations, and mushroom trips with Sean Penn climbing up a wall. There is a budding romance that goes nowhere between Alley and a too-close-for-comfort Johnny Depp stand-in named Larry (Ray Nicholson). There is an emphatic message on the power of literature and odes to great authors of the past. There is a meager commentary on the power imbalance between domineering men and credulous women. Just like the main character, the entire film is having an identity crisis.

Arquette proved that her biggest asset as a director is the ability to bring out stunning performances from her cast. Willem Dafoe is always great, but as Walter, he was able to portray a real person while also seeming like a completely original character. It’s one of the best roles of his career and he shows up in every scene giving over 100% of himself. A pleasant surprise was seeing Morrone hold her own up against a powerhouse like Dafoe. She provided a dynamic and layered performance of a character that was thinly written. She taps into the rocky emotions of Alley seamlessly and is not afraid to be ugly or vulnerable. Morrone is joining the Margot Robbie club for being jaw-droppingly beautiful and genuinely talented. 

Gonzo Girl is worth a watch if only to enjoy the exemplary acting. It’s entertaining and funny enough to warrant a good time. But if you’re looking for a deep and succinct telling of one girl’s experience with an icon of American culture, prepare to be disappointed. The lack of consistency and focus throughout the runtime makes an impactful ending nearly impossible. The strange pacing and shallow script water down the rich source material that its adapted from. Despite having all the ingredients to make a special and memorable film, Gonzo Girl is next in line to slip away into the void of decent enough movies that will ultimately leave no mark on the world.