Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: Review By Raoul Duke

Once upon a time, in the “foul year of our lord”, 1971, to be exact, Dr. Hunter S. Thompson and his attorney, Oscar Zeta Acosta, screeched across the desolate desert strip that stretches from LA to Vegas in a bright red convertible, loaded up with enough drugs and booze to comatose an elephant herd. They were in search of the American Dream. The madness that would ensue would lead Thompson to scribe one of the most influential novels of our time, and bring to the masses a new journalistic style; Gonzo Journalism. What originally started as a lowly assignment covering the Mint 400 Desert Race for Sports Illustrated ended up morphing itself into a surrealistic journey into the primal madness that lurks in the back of a mans mind.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is an adaptation of the novel of the same name. Well, the novels title is a bit longer, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream, but whatever. Originally printed in a 1971 issue of Rolling Stone as a two part story/article, Fear and Loathing tells the tale of a trip Thompson took in 71’ to Sin City with Chicano attorney, Oscar Zeta Acosta. Under the pseudonyms of Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo respectively, Hunter and Acosta stormed their way through Vegas in the throws of what I can only describe as a permanent overdose…on every drug known to mankind.

Eventually printed into a novel in 72’, Fear and Loathing wasn’t exactly provided a warm welcome to the literary community. Most critics were shocked and offended by the blatant debauchery depicted throughout its pages, but slowly, people began to catch on to its genius, propelling it into status as one of the greatest works of 20th Century literature. It’s one of only two “novels” that Thompson completed. I question the use of the word novel because while the narrative may at times be exaggerated, for the most part, this story is largely autobiographical like his other novel, "The Rum Diary". As hard as it may be for you to believe upon watching this or reading the book, this actually happened. The events may be out of order. Some may not have happened exactly as described. Most did. Who knows? Maybe what really happened was even more twisted.

The Legendary (in my book) Terry Gilliam takes this behemoth by the horns and attempts to film the un-filmable. Many times over the years studios have tried to tackle this hallucinatory opus, with actors from every generation attached to the starring roles; Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando, Jim Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Even names like John Cusack and John Malkovich were considered for the role of Thompson. Terry Gilliam eventually found his stars in the forms of Benicio Del Toro and Johnny Depp.

To say these two were committed to this film is an understatement. Johnny Depp lived in Hunter Thompson’s basement prior to filming for months immersing himself into a world I can only imagine. He shaved his head bald. He doc*mented every tiny tick and mannerism of Hunter. He practiced Hunters rushed and rumbling way of speech until he could have phoned Hunters mother to say Happy Birthday, and she wouldn’t have been any the wiser. These two bonded quickly and what resulted from this film was a long lasting friendship between Depp and Thompson. When Hunter passed in 2005 and it seemed like his lifelong wish of having his remains shot out of a 100 ft long cannon to the song “Mr. Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan wouldn’t come to fruition, it was Depp who stepped in and made it happen for his friend. Depp also narrated the 2008 doc*mentary Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. These two were great friends, and from the moment they met, Hunter knew no one else could possibly play him in this film like Depp could.

Benicio Del Tor was no less committed. Not having the real Acosta to learn from since Oscar disappeared in 1974 never to be seen again, Del Toro studied his role intensely through articles and accounts of Acostas life. He put on at least 50 pounds for this film to accurately portray the heavyset attorney. Compare him in this film to the The Usual Suspects, or The Hunted. The difference is insane. He doesn’t even look like the same person, which is the point obviously. It’s in his eyes though as well. The derangement he emanates through his facial expressions his unnerving. You actually feel fear of this character. You worry what he’s going to do next…Where the drugs are taking him and what’s going to happen when he gets there. Acosta was known by most to be quite a psychotic under the influence, and that’s exactly what Del Toro delivers; a psychotic performance.

Gilliam directs these superstars and a wonderful supporting cast through this savage story like the true veteran he is. Gilliam, like Thompson, held nothing back with this film. He displayed the humor, the vulgarity, and ugliness of this novel unashamedly. With his superb leading men, and a beautifully adapted script, complete with narration by Depp, Gilliam filmed what I believed to be, un-filmable. I first read the book in 2000 I think, two years after this movie was made. I knew there was a movie adaptation before reading the novel, and upon finishing the book my first time, I didn’t really understand how that was possible. How could you create Pterodactyls lumbering down hotel corridors through fresh pools of blood without it seeming cheesy or stupid? How could you possibly capture the intensity and overall paranoia that creeps at you throughout the novel? The weirdness? Like I said, I didn’t think it was possible. And in a way, it isn’t. While this movie is a fantastic adaptation, one of the best adaptations of a novel I have ever seen, it can never fully encapsulate the raw brilliance of Hunters writing. Catching the essence of Hunter is like trying to explain colors to a blind man. It’s like trying to trap wind in a jar. It’s like trying to eat your own face. You can try and try and try, but you will never succeed.

However, be that as it may, Gilliam still took a crack at it and came out ahead. Visually is where this adaptation hits the hardest. Your retina are thrust into a neon hallucination from the get go. Special effects and puppetry are abundant as Gilliam does his best to simulate the effects of drugs like LSD, Ether, and Mescaline. He brings the twisted visions and hallucinations of Mr. Duke and the good Doctor shockingly to life, keeping it comical, yet frighteningly disturbing. He uses tricks of the camera to further f*ck with your mind. It’s like a visual funhouse of sorts. You’re looking at something one minute, and the next minute, it’s something completely different. Gilliam uses the bright lights and psychedelic imagery of Vegas to his advantage, further adding to the sickeningly surreal images.

But where I really have to commend Gilliam is on the adapted screenplay, co-written with screenwriter Tony Grisoni. Like I said, capturing the brilliance of Hunter is impossible. Gilliam does his best though, and is still able to present the main themes of the book through the film. Excess, the ugliness of American Culture, the pains of being human, self medication; all these themes are present in the film, just as in the novel. He also maintains the dark tone of the time. The novel was written during the peak of Americas involvement in the Vietnam War and the dark and human writings of Hunter definitely reflected that. To me, the book always felt like a eulogy to the 60’s. I felt that this was Hunters way of saying goodbye to that explosive and revolutionary era and turning towards the decadent and fast paced future that stood before him and embracing it through this excessive drug induced excursion into the desert. And that’s I got from the film, largely in part by Gilliam’s lifting of pages directly out of the book as well as Depps superb narration. It’s as if you’re inside Hunters head throughout the whole movie, actual being able to hear his thoughts and insights on the madness of the changing world that surrounds him.

The soundtrack also has a big hand in setting the tone. The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Big Brother and the Holding Company; these influential artists of the 60’s all have a place in the film. Some songs used for humor, others used to convey a deeper meaning. All work perfectly in the context they are used.

This movie may have its serious undertones, but first and foremost, it’s funny. And I don’t just mean your run of the mill funny. This movie is extremely funny…F*cking Hilarious. Dry humor, dark humor, physical humor, every which way of funny is in here. Depp hops and crawls and sprints around the screen like a coked up jackrabbit. He doesn’t even have to be saying anything to get you laughing. The look in his eyes and constant grinding jaw and sweat drenched face is more than enough. Del Toro likewise, can raise laughs with nothing more than the look on his face. Between the 70’s porno stache, the enormous gut and the Acapulco shirts, I don’t know where to laugh the hardest. These two interact with a fantastic supporting cast filled with the likes of Cameron Diaz, Verne Troyer, Gary Busey, Christina Ricci and Tobey Maguire. Everyone plays their part to the best of their ability, no matter how small that may be. Verne is only in it for maybe 5 seconds, but his role is crucial in adding to the weirdness. And just wait until you see Tobey Maguire. Even Hunter Thompson himself lends his lumbering figure for a quick scene, freaking himself out in the process.

Overall, that’s what this film is; Just one big freak out. You’re not exactly sure what is going on…What is real and what isn’t. What’s going to happen next? This is a tale of a time long gone to our nation. You couldn’t get away with the sh*t they pulled these days; especially not in Vegas. In this age of information and surveillance you can’t even fart without half the world knowing you did so. This film provides an escape from the norm of society, from the crushing weight of 21st Century reality, just as the novel does, and thrusts you into the violent, twisted and surreal world of the good Doctor, Hunter S. Thompson.

Just try and relax. Go with the flow. And prepare yourself for a Savage Journey into the Heart of the American Dream.