Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
The film opens with Johnny Depp's grainy voice. Muffled, presumably, by a cigarette holder, and speaking in a rather non Johnny Depp style, he sets the entire attitude of the film, "We where somewhere outside of Barstowe, when the drugs began to take hold".
Essentially, Fear covers the misadventures of Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo, as they tromp through Las Vegas vreaking havoc and doing far to many drugs to mention. Originally Duke was sent to cover a motorcycle race, but after his attorney Dr. Gonzo, played masterfully by Benicio Del Toro, becomes involved, it degenerates into a mad and savage burn across Nevada.
Director Terry Giliam does his best to portray the sights, sounds, and events so well depicted in Hunter S. Thompsons book, but unfortunately this is where the film is most lacking. Much like the ill fated Where the Buffalo Roam, Thompsons work doesn't lend itself well to film, but where the Buffalo Roam failed both from a directing and story line problem, Fear is a far more captivating story.
Thompson originally meant for the book to be a statement about the results of the 60's and the drug culture it nutured. He used the story of Duke and Gonzo as a backdrop to this, and also used the characters as a statment about the products of a dazed and confused generation, seeking aswers in the form of pills. Though much of this was lost in the transfer to film, enough is mantained to keep the movie from being a destinationless drug fest. It also help to settle the viewer into a comfortable niche of calm reflection and jarring drug induced confusion.
Despite the films messages and content it makes for some hilarious scenes. Some of the more memorable ones include Duke and Gonzo going to a circus hopped up on ether and mescaline, Gary Busey as a highway patrol man stopping Duke and asking for a "little kiss" because he was lonely on the road, and the opening sequence involving midget bellhops, picking up a hitch hiker and offering him amyls, and being in "bat country". The films portrayel of drug use is spot on, and the early 70's Las Vegas setting was a character in and of itself.
Depp and Del Toro where absolutely hilarious, and at some times, extremely scary. Both actors where put through their paces; Del Toro put on 15 pounds for the role. Depp studied Thompsons manerisms (Raoul Duke being his alter ego) for months, and in almost all respects, did an amazing job. Almost too good. Much of his dialogue is mumbled and scatered, making it a fight to keep up in some instances, but all in all it is quite bearable. As a whole the film is easily enjoyable, funny, smart, and ireverant enough to make it's minor failings almost invisible. Added: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 Reviewer: Brian Score: Hits: 1048
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