Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas [VHS] [1998]

The literature is actually anti-drugs and anti-hippy. I've read the script. The words on Tim Leary’s ideals should strike a chord in any contemporary context, when Duke narrates on “a generation of permanent cripples, failed seekers, who never understood the essential old-mystic of the Acid Culture: the desperate assumption that somebody or at least some force -- is tending the light at the end of the tunnel.” I fail to see how this narration could be described as coming from a character that Shannon describes as having the ‘zonked-out mind’ of a ‘buffoon’. I’m not a child of the 60s, but I feel, as an English Literature student, and Theatre, Film And Television Leeds University student that I have the open mind to appreciate the ideas behind any book. For those who have read Jack Kerouac’s On The Road, this offers a similar tale of a journey - the search for the ‘American Dream’.

The satire in the film is used to convey the meaning that the author and filmmakers wanted to portray. Psychology does have evidence to support the idea that serious messages are not listened to if it sent in a shocking, straight way. The comedy in the film is necessary to the films message. It does not in any way glorify drugs. The characters are used to represent the misguided culture that Leary and his peers where promoting. The diction in this film is spine tingling at times with the ‘meat-hook realities’ of Leary’s ‘consciousness expansion’, to the comical spoof of a drugs awareness video in a police conference when the film narrator talks of ‘your dope-fiend’ and how ‘his pants will be crusted with semen from constantly jacking off when he can't find a rape victim’. This send up of the sensationalising of drugs is entirely accurate and adept.

You do not need to have a literary grasp to ‘get’ this film. You need an open mind, open ears, and cultural awareness. Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro where exceptionally well cast in this film. It’s the best I’ve personally seen of either of them. I plead with you not to listen to Jeff Shannon, nor even myself, but watch the film and make your own mind up. Literature is all about freedom, not the boundaries we confine ourselves in. I’m not being bombastic when I admit that this film changed my life, or at very least my outlook of it.

I could go on forever, but the film is enough to explain its own brilliance

I laughed and laughed, 'til I thought I would black out... This is a film that provokes extreme reaction. Luv it or hate it - there's no middle ground... It's a film you cannot explain to ANYONE that has not seen it already... They'll think you're mad, tainted with the insanity and lust for life that infected the Duke and Dr' Gonzo on their shotgun, headlong flight into debauchery...

Be careful - if you're weak you may find yourself wondering about mescaline, ether and all manner of crazy things... "what could happen?... Hmmmm". Do not try this at home!!!!

Seriously tho'... this film needs a number of screenings to get into the head of Thompson and the good Doctor... The dialogue is rapid-fire and at first incomprehensible... Give it time and you will reap the rewards that will have you espuousing the wisdom of Thompson's narrative, to strangers, who will stare at you like dog's that have just been shown a card-trick...

Watch the film... read the book... watch the film again... in that order...
Thing's will mAKE SENSE NOW... AND ALL THE THING'S YOU ONCE HELD DEAR WILL FADE TO GREY AND LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN...

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