h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Wow.

Halfway through the book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson (dead now - killed himself earlier this year (2005)). What a read.
Saw the film a few years ago and this was the first I'd heard about the book and the author.
Johnny Depp plays Hunter (as Raoul Duke) and Benicio Del Torro plays his attorney (?) (Dr Gonzo). Both do absolutely fantastic performances. Johnny Depp is particularly err-mazing.
It's so funny and so dark in equal amounts.
It's about a drug-fuelled "exploration" of the American Dream and how one can go to excess, regret it and then go back again. It's about "Gonzo" journalism ie. getting at the truth even if it means, technically, lieing. Forget Trainspotting. Forget other "drugs-un-guns" movies (there aren't any guns fired in anger in this movie) this is the one.
Every frame of the film and every page of the book are wonderfully bizarre/exciting/interesting. His writing style is similar to the way Stephen King does it (or should that be the other way 'round) though the subject matter is different of course.
Terry Gilliam directed the film which can only be a good thing and you can definitely see his style in it. The lighting of the scenes is wonderful. Each drug taken has it's own "style" of lighting and, occasionally, there's Gilliams trademark "roar" when a door is opened or the boot of a car is lifted.
Watch it, buy the book or buy the book and watch it. Whatever the hell you wanna do. Just don't get the fear! And wear some golf shoes, or you'll never get out of here alive.
And if you can handle the sight of your dead Grandmother crawling up your leg with a knife in her mouth - you know you've gone too far.

Hell - I forgot all about this beer; you want one?
No
How about some ether?
What?
Never mind

Brilliant book. Brilliant film - excellent performances.

It sounds like one to watch ,an interesting story and Johnny Depp

I'm rather envious of the chap and his technique. Bah - hate him. Absolutely fabulous actor. One gets the impression if he's in a film it'll be interesting if nothing else.
Be prepared for a bit of ride should you watch the film. And I had to watch more than once to get everything.
By then I was hooked.

He is a very good as well as charasmatic,I saw an interview he gave about the film and thought I would really like to see it lots and lots of times

A) all that will just get your dvd/video player wet and there would be a danger of electrocution

B) where did you see this interview? tellme-tellme-tellme! I HAVE to know [y'see am a bit hooked on the film - especially now that I've read the book recently.]

PS B) comes with a 'please' of course

I was channel hopping and paused when Johnny Depp appeared so sorry maybe you could google film reviews and find out?
Would like to read the book myself I think too