NobodyCares said:

I think that one important thing to remember about Fear and Loathing is that Thompson was intentionally trying to be over the top. Of course stuff like seeing people morph into lizards and have a blood orgy doesn't happen for most people who try LSD. When I watch the movie (or read the book for that matter) I always try to bear in mind that it's intended to be extreme and shocking. Although I don't have a source at the moment, I'm relatively sure that Thompson has been quoted as saying most of the events in Fear and Loathing were seriously embellished when he wrote the book.

Plus, it's Hunter S. Thompson, can you really take him that seriously?

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Sheeno said:

I found that the drug portrayals weren't so realistic. The only bit that seemed realistic to me is (and forgive me if any of this is incorrect, as it's been a while since I saw the film) when Depp sees that receptionist's face morph during the acid trip, when he first arrives at the casino - and to be honest, I think anybody could have thought to depict that, even those who've never tried a hallucinogen. But things like seeing people transform into weird reptilian monsters, and turning psychotic and completely ruining an apartment? From what I'd guess, that kind of stuff only happens on high doses of datura and other deliriants.

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Sheeno said:

I found that the drug portrayals weren't so realistic. The only bit that seemed realistic to me is (and forgive me if any of this is incorrect, as it's been a while since I saw the film) when Depp sees that receptionist's face morph during the acid trip, when he first arrives at the casino.

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Yes, and don't forget, in the same scene when he watched the pattern on the floor/wall....that was VERY accurate.

But a lot of it was over the top. As a drug user, people can relate to the feeling that is portrayed, but I have friends who have seen the film who don't even drink or smoke pot and they thought it was an anti-drug movie

koraks said:

I think it's one of the very few examples of a movie that is actually more appealing than the book. Not to discredit the book, btw, cause in addition to being historically and literally relevant, it's actually very nice and smooth read. However, Terry Gilliam succeeded in effectively casting Thompson's imagery-rich writing to the silver screen while staying true to the essence of the story, both in terms of storytelling as in terms of the visual effects and photography of the movie.

So yeah, it's worth watching. Take the ticket. I'll remember your face.

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Shroomism said:

I think you guys are missing the point.. when you have two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers . . . and also a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of Budweiser, a pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls .. drugs just start blending together at that point. You cease being 'on acid' or whatever and instead you are on a bunch of different drugs at once.
How accurate can that be? Everyone has different kinds of experiences on all kinds of different drugs. It gets even crazier when you start mixing them.

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Yep, it tends to become a psychedelic roller coaster of cosmic madness. 

Also when you've been intoxicated for days, lack of sleep starts to play a part. Things become really surreal and alien.