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Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Craig Bierko, Ellen Barkin, Gary Busey ... see more see more... , Cameron Diaz , Flea , Mark Harmon , Katherine Helmond , Michael Jeter , Penn Jillette , Lyle Lovett , Tobey Maguire , Christina Ricci , Harry Dean Stanton , Tim Thomerson , Richard Riehle

Terry Gilliam (Brazil, Twelve Monkeys, The Fisher King) directed this colorful, stylized, pseudo-psychedelic $21-million adaptation of the 1971 Hunter S. Thompson classic, Fear and Loathing in Las Veg... read more read more...as: A Savage Journey into the Heart of the American Dream, about stoned sportswriter Raoul Duke, Thompson's alter ego, on a wild drug-crazed road trip, a paranoid plummet into the belly of the beast, with his pal, lawyer Oscar Zeta Acosta. Originally serialized in Rolling Stone (November 1971), the book catapulted Thompson headfirst toward the Kerouac-Mailer-Capote pantheon and jump-started the entire movement of "gonzo journalism." Carrying a suitcase of drugs, Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp with shaved pate) and his attorney Dr. Gonzo (Benicio Del Toro) drive a red convertible across the Mojave from L.A. to Vegas, where Duke has an assignment to cover the Mint 400 desert motorcycle race. As the drugs kick in, Duke ventures into voiceover, filling in the blank spots and narrative gaps. "This is not a good town for psychedelic drugs," says Duke, but even so, they consume vast quantities, eventually escalating to ether. Duke notes that with ether "you can actually watch yourself behaving this terrible way, but you can't control it." The two trash their hotel room, and Gonzo goes back to L.A. Thinking the hotel room holocaust will lead to an arrest, Duke begins a drive back to L.A., but after an odd encounter with a highway patrolman (Gary Busey) and a telephone conversation with Gonzo, he returns to Vegas to cover the District Attorney Convention on Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs in the glitzy Flamingo Hotel. This time the drugged-out duo trash their Flamingo room. The crazed carnival atmosphere segues into a carney casino, Bazooko's Circus, where a barker (Penn Jillette) spiels amid aerialists, clowns, and a rotating carousel bar. Gonzo worries over runaway teen Lucy (Christina Ricci), who paints portraits of Barbra Streisand. Soon the hallucinations begin: Duke sees Gonzo transmogrify into a demon with breasts on its back, and an acid vision of a Vegas bar features large legit lounge lizards (courtesy of monster makeup man Rob Bottin). Flashbacks depicting Duke's intro to the drug scene jump back to love-Haight relationships in San Francisco's Summer of Love. Cameos and guest stars include Mark Harmon, Cameron Diaz, Flea, Lyle Lovett, Harry Dean Stanton, Ellen Barkin, Tobey Maguire, and Hunter S. Thompson himself. The film features a Geffen Records soundtrack mixing rock of the period with Vegas lounge tunes. Over the years, various script adaptations came and went as did numerous talents; people connected with past efforts to film Thompson's book include Martin Scorsese, Jack Nicholson, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and writer-director Alex Cox. Shown in competition at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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90% liked it

246,898 ratings

Critics

51% liked it

63 critics

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Terry Gilliam

Release Date: May 22, 1998

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DVD Release Date: November 17, 1998

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Stats: 25,011 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (25,011)

  • aquateen2
    May 10, 2012
    aquateen2
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

    During my late night viewing of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, I actually found it to be more of a hugely banging headache than an insanely awesome acid trip. I'd have to criticise the direction for that... read more, but it's still better executed than some other surrealist indie films. At times it can be slightly boring due to almost every scene repeating the visuals, but neverthless the set pieces are inventive and artsy. Johnny Depp's performance as a more frantic version of "The Dude", along with his chemistry with Benicio Del Toro is great, and the cameo apperances are hilarious, particularly Christina Ricci's. It could have faired better with a reason to exist, some character development and the fulfilling of a distinctive purpose but overall, I thought it was a decent effort that at moments made me laugh out loud.
  • blkbomb
    December 27, 2011
    blkbomb
    Raoul Duke: The possibility of physical and mental collapse is now very real. No sympathy for the Devil, keep that in mind. Buy the ticket, take the ride. 

    "Four days, Three nights, Two Convertibles, One City."

    Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is easily the most perfect adaption ... read moreof a book ever done. I can't think of a movie that captures everything about the book like this one does. Terry Gilliam was obviously the perfect choice for directorial duties. Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro could not be better in their drugged out, over the top performances that the source material called for. Most importantly, it's Hunter S. Thompson, enough said. 

    I've read a lot of Thompson's work(Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail, The Rum Diary, Hell's Angels, etc.), but Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas has always been my favorite. I've probably read ten times by now and it just never gets unfunny. That is exactly how I feel about the movie too. It just doesn't get unfunny. The reason, Deep's portrayal of Thompson. It is perfect in every way. If you haven't read the book, you'll probably think it is a little too over the top, but it really couldn't be more on the money.

    Basically this movie is a man and his attorney in Las Vegas, where he is supposed to be covering a race. They bring a lot of drugs and are out of their minds all the time and begin to get extremely paranoid. The plot is all over the place when there is one. But if you've ever done drugs, you know that shit isn't straightforward when you're on them. Paranoia and hallucinations don't follow a plot line. They do whatever the fuck they want.

    This is probably the best pure drug movie you can see. I say "pure drug movie" because it isn't about addiction or rehabilitation. This is like Cheech and Chong, but add more narcotics and hallucinogens, plus a lot funnier situations and actors. I would say this is a must see for Thompson fans, but every Thompson fan has already seen it twenty times.
  • fb100001592288964
    December 27, 2011
    fb100001592288964
    Truly capturing the bizarre yet philosophical world of Hunter S. Thompson, director Terry Gilliam along with stars Johnny Depp (one of his absolute best performances) and Benicio del Toro deliver one of the most visually hypnotic experiences I've seen in some time. Definitely not... read more for everyone though!
  • FilmFanatik
    November 26, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    Gilliam + Hunter S. Thompson + Depp + Del Toro = cinema magic. Gilliam's work is always troublesome and difficult to swallow for some, but this is just a masterpiece. Along with Brazil, this is probably his all around best work. It's incredibly surreal and stylistic, not to menti... read moreon completely mad. It's also fun seeing the cameos of different people pop up in it. There's not much else to say other than that. Those who've seen it understand and those who haven't, what are you waiting for?! :)
  • fb1664868775
    October 25, 2011
    fb1664868775
    A very strange film, unlike any other I've ever seen. It grabs and regardless if you want to or not, you are in Thompson's world. Johnny Depp and Del Toro are brilliant.
  • LoughnerWasLucid
    October 11, 2011
    LoughnerWasLucid
    one thing i realized watching it recently is just how great the supporting actors are. Craig Bierko, whoever he is, makes a good dickheaded photographer. Gary Busey as a hick cop. Richard Riehle, who stunned audiences worldwide in Mysterious Skin with an unexpected turn as "old... read more pederast who blows Joseph Gordon Levitt in a hotel room and spits his cum out in the sink". Chris Meloni is mesmerizing as a bellboy who lisps his own name.
  • theunknownhobo
    August 24, 2011
    theunknownhobo
    One of the oldest and greatest cult movies of all time I cannot say I do not like it but over the years I feel it has gathered rather a large ego and one that I feel dissipates its original vibrancy. Still I have the poster on my wall and Hunter S. Thompsons words in my heart.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    July 15, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is one awesome adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's classic drug culture novel of the same name. Director Terry Gillam conjures up a film that captures the crazy, intense vibe of the novel. Johnny Depp is the perfect choice to play Raoul Duke (based ... read moreon Hunter S. Thompson) and Benicio Del Toro is intense in his role of Dr Gonzo. The best way to describe this film is that it's very bizarre, eccentric and it's in your face. What I love about the film is that it's very over the top, and it keeps the source material of the book intact. Yes, there are thing were slightly changed, but for the most part, the film delivers something quite memorable. As a person that has read the book, I can honestly say that this film stays true to the book and that fans of the book will be pleased at what Terry Gilliam has done with this adaptation of Thompson's literary classic. The acting is solid and Gilliam couldn't have picked a better cast to play these parts. The top notch truly delivers on screen and they're each memorable in their own way. Many people will despise the film, but those who enjoy something thats eccentric or enjoys the work of Hunter S. Thompson, should definitely check out this unforgettable cult classic.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    June 5, 2011
    FiLmCrAzY
    I dont fully get this movie.
    It isnt an enjoyable movie for me mainly becuase i jst just dont get it.
    I dont really enjoy watching a bunch of layabouts getting wasted on drugs so i just find these extremely boring.
  • fb100002359227440
    May 27, 2011
    fb100002359227440
    A surrealist portrait, characters lost and visually innovative, a ride to a psychdelic, coloful and Las Vegas from Hunter S. Thompson. Fear and Loathing is great. Fresh.

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Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
May 2, 2012
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

It's certainly distinctive, looking at times like Richard Lester put through a postmodernist blender. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

(Gilliam's) vision is too reflexively comic to evoke the shadows of dread in Thompson's writing. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
March 26, 2009
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Pic serves up a sensory overload without any compensatory reflection on the outlandish and irresponsible behavior on view. Full Review

Edward Guthmann
June 18, 2002
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

It's really a series of sketches on one theme. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

If you encountered characters like this on an elevator, you'd push a button and get off at the next floor. Here the elevator is trapped between floors for 128 minutes. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Darn funny, but those moments of seemingly-inspired humor are more than offset by the rest of the movie, which is nearly unwatchable. Full Review

Maitland McDonagh
May 2, 2012
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide

A peculiar and oddly haunting achievement. Full Review

May 2, 2012
Film4

Bizarre, unpredictable yet strangely alluring. Full Review

Paul Fischer
May 2, 2012
Paul Fischer, Urban Cinefile

The film is intensely pretentious, far too clever for its own good. Full Review

Louise Keller
May 2, 2012
Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile

It's larger-than life, wild, dizzy, colourful and vulgar, and goes round in circles - for a very long time. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Raoul Duke: We can't stop here. This is bat country!
    • Raoul Duke: Look, there's two women fucking a polar bear!
    • Dr. Gonzo: Don't tell me these things. Not now man.
    • Raoul Duke: With a bit of luck, his life was ruined forever. Always thinking that just behind some narrow door in all of his favorite bars, men in red woolen shirts are getting incredible kicks from things he'll never know.
    • Raoul Duke: There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.
    • Raoul Duke: I knew it, you're a goddamn narcotics agent.
    • Carnie Talker: Step right up and shoot the pasties off the nipples of a 10 foot bull dyke.
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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Trivia

  • What film connects these actors/actresses? Benicio Del Toro Cameron Diaz Christina Ricci Toby Maguire and Johnny Depp (yes, ANOTHER Johnny Depp related question...sorry!)  Answer »
  • what movie featured cameos from both cristina ricci and cameron diaz?  Answer »
  • Identify the movie from the Flixster synopsis:- Journalist Raoul Duke and his lawyer Dr Gonzo drive from LA to Las Vegas on a drugs binge....  Answer »
  • What film was based on the book Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas?  Answer »
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