"We were somewhere around Barstow, around the edge of the desert.... when the drugs began to take hold." This is the point when Fear and Loathing takes hold. It is also the opening line from Johnny Depp. This movie is based on the book of the same name. The book is semi autobiographical, this is hard to believe when you watch the movie because it's so fucking off the wall! But when you learn that the author, Hunter S. Thompson died, rather than be cremated or buried, he had his corpse fired out of a motherfucking CANON. It all starts to become very believable.
The movie is the story of Thompson covering the Mint 500 race and then covering an anti-drug convention. There is very little journalism happening, that said this is Gonzo journalism. A style of journalism pioneered by Thompson, AKA Dr. Gonzo. This movie has one of my favourite opening sequences in any movie ever. Duke(Thompson's name in the movie) and his lawyer are driving to Las Vegas in a rented convertible. There is a roll call of all the drugs they have, which is quite extensive. They see a hitch-hiker and decide to pick him up, this hitch-hiker is played by a very young Toby Maguire. The sheer terror on his face when he realises the kind of people who he has taking ride with is simply fucking hilarious.
I don't wanna say anymore because I could talk all day and night about this psychedelic masterpiece, all you need to know is that this movie is awesome. Johnny Depp is perfect. When you see the real Hunter S Thompson you realise Depp perfected his role. Benicio Del Toro is excellent as Duke's lawyer. Make sure you watch for the cameos from Penn Jillette and Cameron Diaz. Basically I love this movie and you will too. I would recommend you read the book also, there is a part in a bar with young cop that is cut from the movie, this is a fantastic passage.
I usually pick my favourite quote but there is no way I can pick one quote, it is impossible. This movie is far too quotable for one. Just go watch the fucking movie.
I use actors to rate movies, Nicholas Cage is top, Kirsten Stewart is bottom, and use appropriate actors in between these. This movie is Nicholas Cage on a massive drug binge!
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