Where the Buffalo Roam
The deranged adventures of Gonzo journalist Hunter Thompson and his attorney Oscar Acosta, referred to in the movie as "Laslow". Thompson attempts to cover the Super Bowl and the 1972 Presidential election in his typical drug-crazed state, but is continually and comically sidetracked by his even more twisted friend Laslow. Allegedly based on actual events.
The film earned $6.7M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Where the Buffalo Roam (1980) exemplifies meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Art Linson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Hunter S. Thompson sits at his typewriter in his cluttered home, surrounded by chaos, drugs, and firearms, struggling to write with a deadline looming. His disheveled state and outlandish environment establish his gonzo lifestyle.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Thompson learns that his old friend and attorney Carl Lazlo has become a fugitive from justice. This news disrupts his present-day writing deadline and triggers an extended flashback to their adventures together.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Thompson fully commits to gonzo journalism, choosing to become part of the stories he covers rather than remaining an objective observer. He and Lazlo embark on a series of increasingly wild adventures together., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Thompson covers the 1972 presidential campaign and witnesses the political machine crushing any hope of real change. The false victory of their counterculture idealism gives way to the reality that the system is impervious to their rebellion., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Lazlo has become a wanted fugitive, forced to go underground. Thompson realizes his friend may be gone forever, and with him, the last vestige of the idealistic crusade they shared. The American Dream they sought is truly dead., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Thompson realizes that the act of writing about their experiences keeps the spirit alive. His gonzo journalism becomes a form of resistance - by documenting the madness, he preserves the idealism for future generations., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Where the Buffalo Roam's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Where the Buffalo Roam against these established plot points, we can identify how Art Linson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Where the Buffalo Roam within the biography genre.
Art Linson's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Art Linson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Where the Buffalo Roam takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Art Linson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include After Thomas, Taking Woodstock and The Fire Inside. For more Art Linson analyses, see The Wild Life.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Hunter S. Thompson sits at his typewriter in his cluttered home, surrounded by chaos, drugs, and firearms, struggling to write with a deadline looming. His disheveled state and outlandish environment establish his gonzo lifestyle.
Theme
A character remarks on the death of the American Dream and the corruption of idealism, setting up the film's exploration of whether the counterculture spirit of the 1960s can survive in the cynical 1970s.
Worldbuilding
The film establishes Thompson's chaotic world through flashbacks, introducing his relationship with attorney Carl Lazlo, his work as a journalist, and the drug-fueled counterculture environment of the early 1970s.
Disruption
Thompson learns that his old friend and attorney Carl Lazlo has become a fugitive from justice. This news disrupts his present-day writing deadline and triggers an extended flashback to their adventures together.
Resistance
Thompson recalls his first major case with Lazlo, defending a young man on marijuana charges. Lazlo serves as both legal counsel and philosophical guide, debating the nature of justice and the system they're fighting against.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Thompson fully commits to gonzo journalism, choosing to become part of the stories he covers rather than remaining an objective observer. He and Lazlo embark on a series of increasingly wild adventures together.
Mirror World
The relationship between Thompson and Lazlo deepens, revealing Lazlo as Thompson's mirror - both men are idealists fighting a corrupt system, but while Thompson uses words, Lazlo uses the law, each reflecting the other's crusade.
Premise
Thompson and Lazlo engage in a series of outrageous adventures: the Super Bowl assignment where Thompson terrorizes Nixon's campaign staff, wild drug binges, courtroom antics, and encounters that showcase gonzo journalism at its most excessive.
Midpoint
Thompson covers the 1972 presidential campaign and witnesses the political machine crushing any hope of real change. The false victory of their counterculture idealism gives way to the reality that the system is impervious to their rebellion.
Opposition
The consequences of their lifestyle catch up with them. Lazlo's legal troubles intensify, Thompson's relationships deteriorate, and the optimism of the counterculture gives way to burnout and disillusionment as the 1970s progress.
Collapse
Lazlo has become a wanted fugitive, forced to go underground. Thompson realizes his friend may be gone forever, and with him, the last vestige of the idealistic crusade they shared. The American Dream they sought is truly dead.
Crisis
Thompson processes the loss of his friend and confronts what their adventures meant. Alone at his typewriter, he wrestles with how to make sense of it all and whether their fight accomplished anything.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Thompson realizes that the act of writing about their experiences keeps the spirit alive. His gonzo journalism becomes a form of resistance - by documenting the madness, he preserves the idealism for future generations.
Synthesis
Thompson finishes his piece, making peace with the past while acknowledging the ongoing struggle. A final encounter with Lazlo at the airport provides unexpected closure as his friend heads into permanent exile.
Transformation
Thompson watches Lazlo's plane depart, then returns to his typewriter. Unlike the opening chaos, he now writes with purpose - transformed from a man avoiding his deadline into one who understands that the writing itself is the revolution.