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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Maverick director Terry Gilliam proves to be the perfect choice to steer this surreal adaptation of Hunter S Thompson's cult book about a drug-fuelled trip to Las Vegas in 1971. A shaven-headed Johnny Depp plays the gonzo hack who is accompanised to Sin City by his psychopathic lawyer (Benicio Del Toro). Propelled by by a cocktail of drugs and adrenalin, it's a mindbending vacation which sees the stoned duo careering into Cameron Diaz and Christina Ricci.

Movie rating:
Stars:	Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Cameron Diaz, Christina Ricci, Ellen Barkin
Director:	Terry Gilliam
Year:	1998
Running time:	119 mins
Certificate:	18

What more perfect visionary could you ask to adapt and film a Hunter S Thompson book than Terry Gilliam?

Full of quirks, jerks and hallucinogenic drug trips, this anarchic road movie is not for the faint-hearted or those seeking a mild night's entertainment.

Gilliam offers a colourful and highly-stylised tale of an oddball journalist, Thompson's alter ego, played by a shaven-headed Johnny Depp, taking his psychopathic lawyer (Benicio Del Toro) on a journey to Las Vegas.

It's a brave but ultimately flawed attempt to bring a difficult book to the screen, but at least Gilliam got his in the can, unlike Martin Scorsese, Jack Nicholson and John Belushi, who, among others, were all connected with past efforts to film the book.

Only Alex Cox's contribution remains - as a screen credit. Stars popping in and out include Cameron Diaz, Christina Ricci, Tobey Maguire and Ellen Barkin.

User reviews

Gusbo The Jam

This is one of the most visually perfect films one could imagine. It's perfectly imagined from the book, to which this film stays utterly true. Terry Gilliam's direction, Johnny Depp's superb characterisation and great support from Benicio Del Toro et al make this film one of the most mind blowing you will ever see. Not for the faint hearted, weak willed or those prone to adiction..........

Marcus Dowell

Psychedelic isn't even the word for this movie! Some truly great performances from Depp and Del Toro, living up to the frantic scenes (e.g. the bar) conveyed in the novel.

Christopher Davie

This movie is crazy, as you would expect with the story it tries to recreate. You never quite know what to expect next. I'll be honest I had never read the book but still really enjoyed this movie. Jonny Depp as usual put's in a great performance as does Benicio Del Toro. This movie has bits that will disturb aswell as cause laughter and there are some Cameos from big names too. Check it out. Where'd those bats come from?