"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is the brilliant movie starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro based on the Hunter S. Thompson book of the same name. Johnny Depp steals the movie with his comical portrayal of Hunter S. Thompson, with exaggerated mimicry of Thompson's speech patterns and mannerisms. Think of it as a kind of Cheech and Chong road movie for intellectuals.
Instead of giving you a review, I have compiled a list of my favorite Hunter S. Thompson/Johnny Depp quotes in the movie. Here they are, please committ them to memory:
"Our vibrations were getting nasty. But why?? was there no communication in this car? Had we deteriorated to the level of dumb beasts?"- Thompson's observations regarding a restless hitchhiker he and Dr. Gonzo had picked up in the middle of the desert.
"There's no harm done. I always test the transmission that way...the rear end for stress factors."- uttered after Thompson (Raoul Duke) ran a rental car over a curb 45 mph going in reverse.
"That bastard won't get away with this. I mean what is going on in this country when a scum sucker like that can get away with sandbagging a doctor of journalism. Can you tell me that?"- Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo reveal their true plans for Las Vegas.
"Our trip was different. It was to be an affirmation of everything right and true in the national character. A gross physical salute to the fantastic possibilities of life in this country. but only for those with true grit. And we are chock full of that, man!"- spoken by Thompson (Raoul Duke) to the hitchhiker.
"It was time to get grounded. To ponder this rotten assignment and figure out how to cope with it, it was time to do the job. Those of us who had been up all night were in no mood for coffee and donuts. We wanted strong drink. We were after all, the absolute cream of the national sporting press."- Thompson's thoughts on having to report on the Mint 400 race.
"In some circles, the Mint 400 is a far, far better thing than the Super Bowl, the Kentucky Derby, and the Lower Oakland Roller Derby Finals all rolled into one. This race attracts a very special breed."- Thompson writes on the Mint 400.
"This is not a reasonable place to park?" - uttered while the Thompson character parks his red convertible on a side walk in Las Vegas.
"I'm a relatively respectable citizen. A multiple felon perhaps, but certainly not dangerous." - another humorous Thompson quote.
"YOU PEOPLE VOTED FOR HUBERT HUMPHREY!... AND YA KILLED JESUS!!" shouted to an angry mob outside of what appears to be a super market.
"Jesus! Bad waves of paranoia. Madness. Fear and loathing. Intolerable vibrations in this place. Get out! The weasels were closing in. I can smell the ugly brutes...You better take care of me, lord, because if you don't...you're gonna have me on your hands." - Thompson (Raoul Duke) mutters a half hearted prayer while being pulled over by a highway patrol man while driving a car full of illegal drugs.
