Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Right now you can watch Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas in the US on Criterion Channel — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it for Johnny Depp — stay for everyone else around them. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Criterion Channel.

There is a reason Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas keeps coming up in conversation. The jokes in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Raoul Duke and his attorney Dr. Gonzo drive a red convertible across the Mojave desert to Las Vegas with a suitcase full of drugs to cover a motorcycle race. As their consumption of drugs increases at an alarming rate, the stoned duo trash their hotel room and fear legal repercussions. Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro lead a cast that never overplays a joke. It was released in 1998. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a strong candidate. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Johnny Depp sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.