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Editorial Reviews
Review
"BEWARE THE GONZO is as authentic as it gets" --Huffington Post
Product Description
Product Description
Eddie "Gonzo" Gilman (Ezra Miller, ROYAL PAINS) is starting a revolution. When the wild-eyed rebel journalist is ousted from his prep school's newspaper by its uber-popular editor, Gavin Riley (Jesse McCartney, SUMMERLAND), Gonzo starts an underground paper, The Gonzo Files, to give a voice to all the misfits victimized by Gavin and his cronies. With help from the mysterious Evie (Zoe Kravitz, X-MEN: FIRST CLASS), The Gonzo Files becomes a runaway hit and turns the school upside down, but Gonzo soon learns that the truth comes with consequences. The ensemble cast of this fresh teen-angst comedy includes Amy Sedaris ("Strangers with Candy"), Campbell Scott (THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE) and Judah Friedlander ("30 Rock").
Special Features
- An Interview with the BEWARE THE GONZO team, Presented by American Express
- Deleted Scenes
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Scathing Black Comedy Or Moralistic Lesson? Starts Strong, But Loses Traction Throughout
January 18, 2012
Format:DVD
I have a soft spot for scathing black comedies set in a high school environment, so I was eager to check out Bryan Goluboff's "Beware the Gonzo." In addition to the subject matter, which really appealed to me, the film stars Ezra Miller whom I am convinced has the chops to become a major talent. Miller stole his every scene in the quirky crowd-pleaser "City Island," turned in compelling work in "Afterschool," is mesmerizing and chilling in the festival favorite "We Need To Talk About Kevin," and has scored with a couple of amusing TV roles. In short, he's on the right track to stardom in these great performances that expertly blend comedic and dramatic prowess. If you are a fan of Miller or any of the other young actors within "Beware the Gonzo," I might suggest you take a look. However, despite having a terrific premise, the film fluctuates all over the place in tone and gets mired down in a bit too many cliches and silliness. It's a shame. As the film began and we're introduced to the cast, this seemed like it had the potential to be a winner (albeit a mean spirited one). What starts as a biting comedy (4 stars) soon loses all sense of believability (2 stars) and morphs into a moralistic after school special (3 stars). I liked elements within the film, but ended up being more frustrated than anything when it veered into the realm of nonsensical.
Again, the idea behind the film is inspired and fun. Miller, an aspiring journalist, and his appropriately misfit friends decide to initiate an underground school paper to challenge the power hierarchy that rules the school. Jesse McCartney single-handedly represents every over-the-top evil characteristic necessary to make him an easy villain (he even has the school's only adult, the principal, cow-towing to him!). Much of the humor is expected and familiar, but early scenes have a refreshing unpleasantness and bite. After producing a paper that would get him expelled, the principal laughs it off (he is given permission to do so by McCartney who is also strangely present in the disciplinary meeting). Where are the outraged parents? This is a wildly inappropriate document for this private school (which in no ways seems like an institution someone would pay for). The warfare escalates as Miller and cohorts expose a story that (in reality) would close down the school, make national headlines, and initiate a school board inquiry. It does make a small blip with the health department, but again--the lack of public outcry is disconcerting. This story becomes a central plot point as Miller continues to investigate and McCartney seeks to discredit him. Eventually it becomes ridiculous as the matter is weighty enough to have state intervention, not school newspaper squabbles.
Of course, in this ruthless battle of wills, Miller must decide what is important. Truth? Friendship? Retribution? Vindication? As he is steered by a single-minded purpose, he just might lose the integrity that has made him the school's rebel champion. Miller is quite good, even when I stopped believing in any aspect of the plot. The great Campbell Scott and the invaluable Amy Sedaris are also on hand as Miller's parents, but are disconnected to any of the central action. They might have been able to keep things grounded. The film starts out quite funny, but loses its way with increasingly preposterous twists. For a black comedy to really work, it must be based in truth and be identifiable. This is where "Beware the Gonzo" lost me. And when it tried to pull me back with a maudlin ending and lessons learned, it was already too late. KGHarris, 1/12.
Again, the idea behind the film is inspired and fun. Miller, an aspiring journalist, and his appropriately misfit friends decide to initiate an underground school paper to challenge the power hierarchy that rules the school. Jesse McCartney single-handedly represents every over-the-top evil characteristic necessary to make him an easy villain (he even has the school's only adult, the principal, cow-towing to him!). Much of the humor is expected and familiar, but early scenes have a refreshing unpleasantness and bite. After producing a paper that would get him expelled, the principal laughs it off (he is given permission to do so by McCartney who is also strangely present in the disciplinary meeting). Where are the outraged parents? This is a wildly inappropriate document for this private school (which in no ways seems like an institution someone would pay for). The warfare escalates as Miller and cohorts expose a story that (in reality) would close down the school, make national headlines, and initiate a school board inquiry. It does make a small blip with the health department, but again--the lack of public outcry is disconcerting. This story becomes a central plot point as Miller continues to investigate and McCartney seeks to discredit him. Eventually it becomes ridiculous as the matter is weighty enough to have state intervention, not school newspaper squabbles.
Of course, in this ruthless battle of wills, Miller must decide what is important. Truth? Friendship? Retribution? Vindication? As he is steered by a single-minded purpose, he just might lose the integrity that has made him the school's rebel champion. Miller is quite good, even when I stopped believing in any aspect of the plot. The great Campbell Scott and the invaluable Amy Sedaris are also on hand as Miller's parents, but are disconnected to any of the central action. They might have been able to keep things grounded. The film starts out quite funny, but loses its way with increasingly preposterous twists. For a black comedy to really work, it must be based in truth and be identifiable. This is where "Beware the Gonzo" lost me. And when it tried to pull me back with a maudlin ending and lessons learned, it was already too late. KGHarris, 1/12.
Format:Amazon Instant Video
Typical high school drama. Taking everything way too seriously. As if high school is the last meaningful stop in life.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Jim
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It may not be produced by one of the major Hollywood companies, but it has all the trimmings of a big budget movie: good story, excellent comedy to accompany the light drama, and a cool cast. As a fan of Ezra Miller, I was interested in his performance and was then pleasantly surprised by the rest of the cast. This was a fun movie that is designed well and well worth your time. Don't miss it.
