Fear and Loathing
A bat-shit-insane movie with no equal.
I can remember exactly where i was when i first caught a glimpse of this film. Its rare that I can remember where and when i was in relation to movies. I was in Boston in 2005 when I was first learning how to use final cut (which i promptly forgot) when some guys started to watch Fear and Loathing on the TV at the other end of the room. I would only catch glimpses but the impact was there. what went through my head was something like this: “WHAT……THE…FUCK…IS…THIS?!”
This was about a year after i had started really getting into movies and i still had a lot to see. I had seen quite a few out of the way movies but NOTHING i had seen was like this. It effectively Infected my mind until I could see it again.
All the Gilliam trademarks are there, including the wide angle shots and the cage, which he uses in all of his films.
The film is blindingly fast paces, hilarious, and demented. Though i havent done anything wrong, i always feel like i need rethink my life after im done watching.
Hunter S. Thompson… Apparently when Johnny Depp was researching the role he went through the original manuscript for Fear and Loathing. apparently there was A LOT more than was in the movie, it was a lot worse, and it was all true.
This movie is very high on the list of films that I obsess about unconditionally. We all have those films. From the very first moment I saw it it infected me. Its a roller coaster ride, and a damn good one.
“Buy the ticket, take the ride” - HST
The only other Gilliam film ive seen as often as F&L is 12 monkeys. they have comparable themes.
They both revolve around a mission. Sure, the motives behind the mission in both movies are different (getting paid while getting loaded/seeking freedom while seeking salvation) but they both have them right? The missions both have this in common though: Far enough into said quest, both Hunter S Thompson and James Cole begin to take a look around them and realize that there is something to the experiences they have.
Both movies have an enabler as well. 12 monkeys: the scientists and Jeffrey Goines.
F&L: Dr. Gonzo
On a different note, art design = impeccable.
