Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas

There's nobody more appropriate to direct this film than Terry Gilliam. Every film he's made seems to have been a long psychotic episode brought on by one thing or another. I've loved almost every movie he's made, and this one is no exception.

In the seventies there was "Where the Buffalo Roam" with Bill Murray as Thompson and Peter Boyle as Gonzo. It may have been more realistic and a truer depiction of Thompson than Fear & Loathing, but Gilliam's film uses its astronomically obvious higher budget with enormous success. Think what you will about Thompson and his abusive approach to creativity, this is both a good record of his days in Vegas and an expression of his intents and purposes. Thompson may have been a casualty of the newfound availability of excess, but he was always an excellent writer. He stands out not only because of his hallucinogenic subject matter but also because of his unique command of the language. Gilliam's film captures his eloquence and depth while simultaneously exposing his wicked overindulgence for what it is. It does glamorize his particularly extreme brand of self-abuse but it also illustrates its dangers.

Thompson's approach is nothing short of rebellious, but his handicap is the drugs that some would claim enable his brilliance. I think his well-known extremity of agitated knowledge makes his viewpoint that much more a part of the times while his incredible talent and discipline as a writer makes his body of work seaworthy in the saltwater ocean of time that dissolves innumerable fads and trendy pop artists. He is not a shallow abuser, even though he certainly can be. He is a once in a generation talent who along with Ken Kesey and Kurt Vonnegut kept the torch burning bright after the Beats and the Expatriates were losing their momentum of bodies.

Gilliam's film makes his nightmare trips entertaining and fascinating, with both special effects and tremendous acting as catalysts. Johnny Depp is underrated, despite his acknowledged renown. He has an apparently unlimited range, and he reaches one end of that million-colored spectrum with this role. Bill Murray may have been more true to life in 'Buffalo' but Depp is more true to spirit in Fear and Loathing. Aside from that, Fear and Loathing is a better film. Buffalo was hilarious and provocative in a truly Thompson Avenue, but Fear and Loathing is a more substantial film that will stand stronger in the winds of film history. This is because it is meticulously constructed a with a meaningful and entertaining script that is enlivened with ideal photography and not too subtle visual effects that don't drift too far into realm of the foolish, though I suppose it's not possible to drift too far in that regards when Thompson is concerned.

Fear and Loathing is an important and powerful book, both emotionally and tactically. It will no doubt last the test of time on the cruel shelves of critical literary annals as will this film in its cinematic counterpart. Very seldom does a movie succeed in realizing a book's theme and brilliance as this does. It also sustains its gargantua of expression.

Before I wrap this up, I have to mention Benecio Del Toro's performance. He comes as close to stealing the show as is possible acting aside Depp, bringing Gonzo as actually to life as possible. His mad dangerous loyal instability is the paradigmatic Gonzo. He's probably the most fun character to watch in this film. In fact, I doubt Fear and Loathing would have cinematically succeeded at all without Del Toro at the reigns of that character. The same is true of Depp, and of Gilliam himself.

Thompson may be a chief example of the failings of American excess, but he is also such an example of the potentials of American literature in originality and penetration of the profound. This film captures that with every color audible.