The Best of Horror Films -- Other Films -- Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas -- Arachnia's Den of the Deceived

Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas is the remarkable film version of Hunter S. Thompson's unbelievable tale of drinking, driving, drugs, and disillusion. It was the kind of road trip into the unknown that we all wish we had the courage and the cahones to take. Hell, it was the kind of journey that sent countless people throughout the 60's and 70's packing off to jail - yet these two men suffered no legal repercussions from it. In that, one might suppose, lies the true beauty in this tale...The very idea that it is in fact possible to live life with such reckless, drunken abandon - and make a clean break for the sunset.

Thompson (going under the alias Raoul Duke) and his attorney friend

known only as "Dr. Gonzo" (Thompson changed his friends' name and ethnicity for safety reasons - he was wanted by the Puerto Rican Mafia) settle into their shiny new red convertible and set sail on the vast, open road. Armed with the premise of covering a sporting event for a magazine and a satchel full of mind-bending meds, they are in search of the mythical "American Dream". What is it? Where does it exist? All questions that could be answered in time, with the assistance of an army of psychedelic pills, powders and poppers.

All the fun in this movie lies in the interactions between "Good" and "Gonzo". Hotel attendants, maids, car salesmen, waitresses - all unsuspecting victims of Duke and Gonzo's towering madness. Accidental tourists, if you will, walking in during the most crucial moments of a raging "acid frenzy".

If you've never gotten into any of Thompson's writing's before - you're missing out! For decades, Thompson has proven himself one of the most brilliant and gifted storytellers of our time. Huge, cult followings can't be wrong (are they ever? Cult followers are the best!).

Since this film's release, the original story by Hunter S. Thompson has become widely available in paperback form at any self-respecting bookstore. I highly recommend it as a companion to the film - it's really neat to go through and realize that they got everything right, down to the finest of details!

Also check out "Where the Buffalo Roam", an earlier film based on Thompson's life, starring Bill Murray and Peter Boyle.