Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Gonzo guru Hunter S. Thompson’s drug-addled dissection of the American Dream finally made it to the big screen in this wiggy, whacked-out 1998 comedy from offbeat auteur Terry Gilliam (Brazil). Fully embracing the tripped-out, paranoid lunacy of Thompson’s classic book, this nutty, big-budget freak-out follows journalist Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and sidekick Dr. Gonzo (Benicio del Toro) as they had to Las Vegas on the ultimate business trip. But before long, business is forgotten and “trip” becomes the key word. Fueled by a suitcase full of mind-bending pharmaceuticals, Duke and Gonzo set off on a fast and furious ride through nonstop neon, surreal surroundings and a crew of the craziest characters ever. Featuring an all-star supporting cast including Tobey Maguire, Cameron Diaz, Christina Ricci, Gary Busey and Harry Dean Stanton, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a road trip into insanity both hilarious and savage. (Dir. by Terry Gilliam, 1998, USA, 118 mins., Rated R)