5 Reasons You Have to Watch ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'

Johnny Depp has played many an eclectic character in the realms of the silver screen but, arguably, none more so than his wild, enigmatic turn as the inimitable Raoul Drake in the 1998 film adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s novel, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Surprisingly, the gonzo-biographical film – which follows characters Raoul Drake and his irreverent, darkly comic lawyer, Dr Gonzo, on a drug-fuelled adventure – was a failure at both the box office and amongst movie critics, despite the acting prowess of the film’s leads, Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro. Nevertheless, the virtual acid-trip style of the film, and many iconic scenes that have received subtle nods in other films over the years since its creation, have catapulted it into the annals of pop culture phenomena.

So, why on earth should you watch it, if it was such a flop on the big screen? Well, we’ve got a few reasons why you might want to watch what we think is one of the best movies set in Las Vegas.

Fairly Faithful Adaptation

Originally a wryly comic, critically acclaimed novel released in the heyday of the psychedelic era, the 1998 adaptation is hailed as a relatively faithful one – which is rare praise in the case of novel-to-film adaptations – successfully managing to capture the trippy, surreal tone of the book and recreate the wild trip of the two main characters. Part of the success here lies in director, Terry Gilliam’s, ability to translate the inner world of the characters into their surrounding – a kind of pathetic fallacy adapted on screen. Thompson’s internal prose that helms the novel is visually described to great effect.

Suffused with Colourful Flares

To effectively replicate the acid-altered consciousness of Drake and Gonzo, much of the film is suffused with an abundance of bright, in-your-face colours that make the viewer feel as though they themselves are entering the minds of these drug-addled comrades. To achieve this, ether and mescaline (amongst other things) were used to warp the visuals so that they appeared distorted, creating fish-eye lens shots that act like those circus mirrors in altering the images for effect.

Location, Location, Location

Set in the vast expanse of Las Vegas, the locations present in the film – from overtly decadent, cushy hotel rooms to dusty plains and effervescently lit casino rooms – help to demonstrate the kooky, psychedelically-altered mental states of the characters, who appear to have entered a hyper-stylised version of reality. The effect is that the viewer is transported to this bizarre version of Las Vegas.

And it’s important to note that the scene featuring the characters bombing down the highway chased by bats has inspired countless other replicas in many a film over the years – surely, it’s a must-see for that alone?

A Couple of Quirky Cameos

Both Tobey Maguire and Flea (of Red Hot Chilli Peppers fame) feature in wacky cameos that last for mere seconds – sort of ‘blink-and-you’ll-miss-it’ moments that you’d be a fool to miss!

Chemically-Altered Cult Icons

Depp and Del Toro are unforgettable as the often euphoric, occasionally paranoid duo, both men achieving the sort of acting that would inspire jealousy in other stars. Both manage to make you wish that you could hang out with them on their wild ride, while simultaneously making you feel disgust at their antics. To achieve this, Depp spent months preparing for the role living with Hunter S. Thompson – and it’s certainly worth witnessing the results.

Whatever you’ve got planned this evening – whether you were going to lounge on the couch, do some studying, or sit scrolling on your phone – we suggest that you abandon all plans and crack on with watching this cult-classic for the ultimate ride.