Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas; Film Analysis
Kimba K
Cine 105-Tues/ Thurs 6:00 p.m.
Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas/ Film Analysis
August 14, 2011
In the film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Johnny Depp delivered an over the top performance with his depiction of Hunter S. Thompson, the notoriously wild and drug addicted father of “gonzo journalism.” His acting is considered “believable” as Depp applied a variety of techniques to accurately portray this author. Depp used facial expressions to convey the roller coaster of tumultuous emotion in which Thompson openly existed. Throughout the film, Depp applied many exaggerated facial expressions; opening his eyes widely, or squinting, and shooting quick darting glances about, each time clutching a cigarette holder in his teeth. Depp was able to exhibit the range of emotion present in Thompson’s daily life, from paranoia, intoxication and distrust, to the ever-obvious fear and loathing. Depp further manipulated vocal techniques to assimilate into his role of Thompson. Depp spoke in the method-acting fashion of low and rambled mumbling, through a cigarette holder, which seldom left his lips. He further used slurred and erratic speech patterns; scrambled sentences and a high pitched almost inanimate squeaking to enhance his drugged persona. The body language used to demonstrate Thompson is best described as accurate to the man he was. Depp touched objects as if they were coated in disease-laden viruses, and waltzed through tents, restaurants and casinos as if he owned them. His body was agile, malleable and appeared “slap-stick” at times, especially when painting the portrait of a man combining ether, acid and mescaline. Depp also dramatically changed his appearance to achieve a close likeness to Thompson. The center of his head was bald and he was extremely thin, compounded by his wearing of larger or baggy clothing. Depp also wore large yellow sunglasses as Thompson always did, as well as sported long sideburns, to maintain the continuity
Cine 105-Tues/ Thurs 6:00 p.m.
Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas/ Film Analysis
August 14, 2011
In the film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Johnny Depp delivered an over the top performance with his depiction of Hunter S. Thompson, the notoriously wild and drug addicted father of “gonzo journalism.” His acting is considered “believable” as Depp applied a variety of techniques to accurately portray this author. Depp used facial expressions to convey the roller coaster of tumultuous emotion in which Thompson openly existed. Throughout the film, Depp applied many exaggerated facial expressions; opening his eyes widely, or squinting, and shooting quick darting glances about, each time clutching a cigarette holder in his teeth. Depp was able to exhibit the range of emotion present in Thompson’s daily life, from paranoia, intoxication and distrust, to the ever-obvious fear and loathing. Depp further manipulated vocal techniques to assimilate into his role of Thompson. Depp spoke in the method-acting fashion of low and rambled mumbling, through a cigarette holder, which seldom left his lips. He further used slurred and erratic speech patterns; scrambled sentences and a high pitched almost inanimate squeaking to enhance his drugged persona. The body language used to demonstrate Thompson is best described as accurate to the man he was. Depp touched objects as if they were coated in disease-laden viruses, and waltzed through tents, restaurants and casinos as if he owned them. His body was agile, malleable and appeared “slap-stick” at times, especially when painting the portrait of a man combining ether, acid and mescaline. Depp also dramatically changed his appearance to achieve a close likeness to Thompson. The center of his head was bald and he was extremely thin, compounded by his wearing of larger or baggy clothing. Depp also wore large yellow sunglasses as Thompson always did, as well as sported long sideburns, to maintain the continuity