Loralei Hurlock

Lit & Media Studies

09.28.10

Screenplay Notes

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

The major underlying theme in Fear and Loathing is the 'American Dream' so-to-speak, or American Culture. It would be very important to incorporate that theme in this movie, especially American culture of the 1960s, because then you can understand where they are coming from and the setting of the movie. They are determined ultimately to discover the 'American Dream' at all costs. Although, they do it in a very osbcur way. They use pretty much every drug you can think about, all the time, to deter the American Dream, as they're finding it. I know that sounds strange, but their crazy behavior depicts how their generation felt, basically, very restless and involved with the mess of drugs. A line I would could in mind while direction this movie would be “permanent cripples and failed seekers”. They just tend to keep going, even though you would believe they would have died from a freak accident or over dosing.

Also, another obvious theme are drugs. There are almost too many to count that they list, but that is the second largest subject in this screenplay and in the film. In a movie though, although the descriptions in the book of 'bad trips' seem horrible, the movie portrays them as a negative thing, but still a bit appealing. He creates an alternate reality, which is appealing in a movie, yes? It is a lot different reading about drugs intertwined with the story, but the movie looks like you're on something most of the time, which is a major emphasize on hallucinogens.

Another theme of Fear and Loathing I would like to portray in the film is Idealism. He tends to have many points of view, and it's hard to tell what is real and what isn't in this screenplay. I would want to portray the flashbacks, in a way where people could tell it wasn't now or reality, but it wouldn't be an uneasy transition. It's comical, because they mention the American dream, but then they go to Las Vegas, which symbolizes the coarse ugliness of mainstream American culture. Unfortunately, Fear and Loathing didn't get published until 1971, therefore the time had past for innocence and emerging drugs. People wouldn't understand now, they wouldn't be as 'in' to it. Although, many people could remember by watching the film, or reading the book/screenplay, he wanted to glorify the heroes of that time. For example,Muhammad Ali, Bob Dylan, Timothy Leary, but it was a bit too late by the time it was published. After reading this screenplay, I feel this movie would have to be uniquely epic. Different from any other movie, even the ones involving drugs. The plot is just so out there and everywhere, that the movie has to be able to follow the plot without losing anyone, but at the same time, the point is to be as much of a crazy mess with a mission as you can possibly be. I also wouldn't change the actors from who they already have been casted, because I think they're perfect.

Cast List:

Raoul Duke - Johnny Depp

Dr Gonzo – Benicio Del Toro

Hitchhiker- Tobey Maguire

Waitress at Cafe – Ellen Barkin

Highway Patrolman – Gary Busey

Lucy – Christina Ricci

Ron Bumquist – Michael Jeter

Lacerda – Craig Bierko

Themes and Motifs:

-American culture

-Heavy Drugs/ Drug Use

-Insanity

-Difference between Illusions & Reality

-Determination mixed with Disillusion