Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Craig Lien

Drama

Movie

Adults Only

Rated R; strong language, heavy drug use, some violence, brief depiction of nudity

Substance abuse-alcohol, Substance abuse-drugs

Based on a novel of the same name by Hunter S. Thompson, the film "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" follows the drug-induced trip of Raoul Duke, a journalist, and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo. Armed with a suitcase full of drugs including marijuana, cocaine, mescaline, LSD, a steady supply of alcohol and continuous use of cigarettes, the companions unabashedly take Las Vegas by storm in search of the American Dream, while commenting on the failure of the 1960's counterculture. The film pulls the viewer deeper and deeper into the surreal haze caused by the mixture of drugs Duke and Dr. Gonzo binge on until nothing makes any sense. The end comes suddenly and the fantasy is over, but the reminiscence of the power of the 1960's zeitgeist continues.

 

This film gives the practicing counselor a view into the experience of drug use through the effects on the mind and body. It seeks to portray the blending of reality and fantastical perceptions caused by drug use, both welcome and unwelcome. There are several subjective descriptions of the effects of drugs on a person, including mescaline and LSD, through introspective narratives and meta-cognitions. The film shows how a person under the influence of drugs appears to people who are sober, the power of suggestion on the mind, paranoia, erratic behavior (violence), and an overarching dissociation caused by drug use. It is a strange and sometimes frightening ride, but, if the viewer can stay with the protagonists, is well worth watching.