Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, Lost In Pursuit Of The American Dream
Posted: Thursday, February 23, 2006
by Bunchuk
James Maddison
America, Las Vegas, 1971.... At a first glance some people may assume that this film is just an excuse to promote explicit drug taking and consequently dismiss it out of hand for its portrayal of a controversial topic choice. However it is much much more complex and meaningful. Underneath the surface of this manic, reality bending exploration lies deeper meaning and a brilliant commentary of the American way of life and the moral values that this country of liberty upholds.
“No Sympathy For The Devil"
Those who ambition for life dared to be something different from the mainstream visions of the big payout... The Jackpot... To succeed in life.... To be known... To be somebody, they would face open disapproval, even hostility.
In this perspective the film takes a new light, it is no longer about the drugs. It is about all those many dreamers of the sixties, whose various different visions of the “American Dream" branched so differently it is impossible to believe. These lost notions are represented by the the Ether sniffing, Adrinacrome gulping character Duke and his reception by the embodiment of the “Big Payout" Dream of America in the form of the Glittering Las Vegas.
“This Town Is No Place For Psychedelic Drugs, To Many Bad Vibrations"
In virtually every scene of this film it is impossible to miss the many American flags that litter the place. It is almost as if the two concepts of the American dream embodied in Duke and Las Vegas are engaged in a everlasting battle underneath the all embracing symbol of American society.
Draw your own conclusions from this film as I have drawn mine. For me, this is a film about society and what it means to the individual, the past experiences, the present day worries and the envisions for the future, as well as how these vision may differ and alter according to the person. Maybe Duke summed it up best:
Maybe it meant something. Maybe not, in the long run, but no explanation, no mix of words or music or memories can touch that sense of knowing that you were there and alive in that corner of time and the world. Whatever it meant.
James
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)I agree with this well-stated premise that Fear & Loathing had a definite and serious theme. As Hunter S. Thompson once said, "People should remember that we were serious journalists." Thank you for a good summary of this story's deeper meaning.
thank you for truly picking apart the meaning of what I would consider one of the most important books ever written. You have truly brought justice to Hunter S. Thompson's work thank you "still humping the american Dream"
i feel like the director drops hints of alice in wonderland....ex: the rabbit, the girl dressed like alice in the court room scene, the maids name is alice and Duke is always wearing a crazy hat, sort of like the mad hatter, plus not to mention the last scene in the movie with the "tunnel" indication. does anyone agree?hints from alice in wonderland?? "the white rabbit" is a popular song by jefferson airplane that is a sinister take on the psychedelic drugs so favored by idealist hippies... lucy is not dressed as alice in the courtroom scene, she is dressed up like an innocent little girl who has been corrupted by duke & dr. gonzo... duke is wearing crazy clothes because he is HST who had a rather interesting style of clothing. you're thinking far too into it, man. plus these weren't the director terry gilliam's choices, "fear and loathing in las vegas" the film is almost exactly like the novel itself. these were choices made by HST which are supposed to be based on real events.
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