By Chelsea Van Baalen/The Torch
Chelsea Van Baalen
chelseavanbaalen@lcctorch.com
It started out as a rumor I heard as a sophomore in high school. When will it come out? Who would star in it? But most importantly, would it actually happen?
I was deep into my Hunter S. Thompson phase, purchasing “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” “The Great Shark Hunt,” and “The Rum Diary.” While the first of those was known as Thompson’s flagship piece, the last was his only novel. Unnoticed at the time, it was a great work in postmodernism, even called “The Great Gatsby” for a new generation, looking at excess and overindulgences.
The plans for its film adaptation have been in works for nearly a decade.
It’s finally in theaters and I couldn’t hurry through concessions fast enough to get to my seat.
Soaked with rum, lust and journalistic integrity, Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) is fresh on the shores of Puerto Rico, to write for the failing San Juan Star. But between cock fights, smarmy businessmen, and less than ethical editors, Kemp finds that Puerto Rico is filled with more than sand and blue sea. While Depp is clearly the star, actors Michael Rispoli (Sala) and Giovanni Ribisi (Moburg) nearly steal the show with their antics, while Amber Heard (Chenault) is the archetype of a femme fatale.
I can’t imagine any other actor but Depp starring as Kemp. Depp has been a Thompson enthusiast for years, nailing him perfectly in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” The sheer tenacity with which Depp commits to his roles takes every scene to a new degree of debauchery.
Still, the film was overdone. While I reveled in the fast cars and constant uncapping of bottles, I found the message of the film to be a little convoluted. I found the message of the film – businessmen are evil, blondes are hot and journalists should be ethical- a little convoluted. I’m not disputing that this was relevant in the movie, but overall it was difficult to maintain focus as an audience member, especially for two hours.
What never ceases to amaze me is the continuing inspiration Thompson provides for writers, journalists and any disestablishmentarian in the States.
In his career, when given a simple story, Thompson found the heart and soul of it all. He turned coverage of the Mint 300 into a dissertation on the American Dream, and a study of excess. In the 1970s, he skewered former-President Richard Nixon constantly as one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s National Affairs reporters. From that point, Thompson spun off and covered politics with a merciless eye until his death in 2005.
What’s stopping you, me or anyone else from being just as brave?
Forget writing; forget deadlines or the general idea of work. This is a life approach. What do you want? What is your goal? If you have an answer to those then what the heck is stopping you?
Think of it as extreme assertiveness. Be better, burn brighter and soar higher. When an idea comes to you, write it down. When you have a class you need that’s full, talk to the instructor and find out if there’s an extra seat, even offer to bring your own folding chair. When you see someone or something you like, reach out and take your shot. People respect drive and desire.
