Fear and Loathing in La Mancha?

 

Written by redfox during a terrible thunder in Tallinn on May 24th and on a more calm afternoon of May 30th.

I hesitated before starting to write this story, because this movie has so many interesting aspects it is hard to concentrate on just one or a few of them. And even if I choose, like, the background story, or the timeline, I´d end up quoting half the script and retelling you practically every moment - which is not a good thing for the ones that have not seen this. (may I remind you that Johnny has often been quoted not to let his children see F&L before they are 21...if even then...). I personally watched this for the first time at the age of 17, thats when it came out, and I found it very amusing, hardly noticing anything as something to go by in my own life. so you are O.K. to watch this if you are at least 15.

First of all, I want to make a couple of things clear.

One: despite being a drug hater in real life and in most cases strongly against drug use in movies, I can´t help but to say I enjoy this movie, probably the most of any Johnny Depp movies for its visual brilliance, unforgettable acting and and for the Momentum lived by the characters - the whole picture of That Time, That Place, Those People...ether in the back trunk...

Two: For obvious reasons I have nothing to compare the vivid and expressive visual interpretation of the effects and side effects of drug (ab)use in the movie. So I hope readers more aqcuainted with the matter excuse my ignorance and incompetence in some aspects.... Nevertheless, I want to emphasize this movie is not, based on my personal instinct and direct affirmation of the filmmakers mentioned on several websites, meant as drug propaganda, and neither was Hunter S. Thompson´s book. I see this movie more as such a perfect visualisation of the drug experience that even if there is little accuracy (due to the material provided by HST-s book being extremely personal and subjective), I prefer that to actually experiencing drugs myself. Terrys fairytale and surrealism-affected depiction is full of crooked and humain humor, criticism as "gonzoist" as Hunter ever was. This movie, when watched without preassumptions, is all you need to get an EXPERIENCE.

So, back to the point of this review. What the f*** is the point then?

As lightning strikes behind my window, all the possible storylines are one big blur in my mind. I count "Eeny, meeny, miny mo..." and end up with "Character profiles".

Well, ok, lets do character profiles for now. Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo ( who, may I remind you, is not a doctor, but Duke´s attourney). Well he is a doctor too if you ...khmmm....if you carry in mind him constantly reminding Duke to carry on with the...eee....yes. Duke and Gonzo...two characters....why do I see 4 behind that cloud? Who the heck are the other two? Waving to me though the arrows of lightning ...uuh, scary. what are these goddamn animals?

Get on with your stuff, dont pay attention. Pretend it is not happening, you´ll be fine. No I cant go forward ! who are they? what are they doing in my review? And as my fingers drum on the keyboard, I recognize the chracters trying to pull my attention away from Duke and Gonzo. Why it is...Don Quijote, and... Sancho...Sancho Pancha. What are the characters from Terry´s next project doing here? (another strike of lightning)

When I think about it, they seem to be in exactly the right place - inde