Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1999) Directed by: Terry Gilliam Screenplay by: Hunter S. Thompson, Terry Gilliam, Tony Grisoni, Tod Davies, Alex Cox Cast: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Tobey Maguire, Ellen Barkin, Gary Busey, Christina Ricci, Mark Harmon, Cameron Diaz, Katherine Helmond, Michael Jeter, Penn Jillette, Craig Bierko Release Date: May 22nd, 1998 MPAA Rating: R for pervasive extreme drug use and related bizarre behavior, strong language, and brief nudity. Running Time: 120 minutes Box Office: $10,562,387 (US total) Studio: Universal Pictures Journalist Raoul Duke and his lawyer Dr Gonzo drive from LA to Las Vegas on a drugs binge. They nominally cover news stories, including a convention on drug abuse, but also sink deeper into a frightening psychedelic otherworld. As Vietnam, Altamont and the Tate killings impinge from the world of TV news, Duke and Gonzo see casinos, reptiles and the Amercian dream. Sportswriter Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and his corpulent Samoan attorney, Dr. Gonzo (Benicio Del Toro) head for Las Vegas with a load of mind-bending pharmaceuticals and herbal remedies - on a savage journey to the heart of the American Dream. Duke may call it an assignment. Gonzo may believe it's a sacred mission to protect his client. Whatever "it" is, it's moving, and fast.