4.5 stars.

This is one of my favorite movies (pre-Kevin Spacey fallout) and one of the rare instances where I've watched the movie before I read the book. I have to say, it stays pretty true to form. This reads like a novel, despite being (slightly artistically styled) nonfiction. The characters are quirky and colorful with a great atmosphere and fantastically wild interactions. The entire thing plays like a crazy acid trip, but it's magnificent...especially when you stop to realize that these people actually exist(ed).

I will admit that the ending in the book is not as powerful as the one in the movie...but hey...that's movie magic. Still...life is stranger than fiction my friends. And this is a doozy. Now...I need to plan a trip to Savannah.