This movie is good. I've read the book several times, and yes, there were changes made, but I still loved it. When transferring book to film, changes are always made. It's the awful truth, I know. People want to compare this film to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Guess what? It's not. AND, it's not supposed to be. I'm a Thompson fan, through and through. I've read his work for years. I think the characters were spot on. This movie isn't for people who just want to see Johnny Depp on screen, or those who want another film in the likes of Vegas. Ribisi was AMAZING to watch in this movie. I really loved it, can't wait to get my copy and add it to my collection.
In the film version of Thompson's autobiographical book, Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) is a freelance journalist who finds himself at a critical turning point in his life while writing for a run-down newspaper in the Caribbean under toupeed editor Lotterman (Richard Jenkins). He is accompanied by the staff photographer Sala (Michael Rispoli), the drunken staff writer Moberg (Giovanni Ribisi) in his discovery of the many wonders of Puerto Rico, not the least of which is a group of entrepreneurs lead by Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart) who happens to be living with the stunning Chenault (Amber Heard) who Paul is attracted to and a series of disreputable business men bent on `touristifyng' a neighboring island. Paul is a drunk and finds innumerable distractions and challenges as he tries to worm his way through the playing field of lost souls.
The story is Hunter S. Thompson all the way and Bruce Robinson has adapted Thompson's book in much the same way the novelist communicates: Robinson also directs. Depp, as usual, manages to make the strange lead character not only interesting but also ingratiating. The supporting cast is solid. The film gets off track many times, but as pure entertainment it is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours watching Depp create another memorable character based on life! Grady Harp, February 12
Read Best Reviews of The Rum Diary (2011) Here
The "Rum Diary" takes us to 1960 Puerto Rico, as we fly in to the tune of "Volare" aboard a small engine plane with Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp). He's the "fresh meat" for the local paper, a journalist and self-proclaimed "failed author", although throughout this movie you will find him dedicated to his post in his own fashion.The first day of his new job, he is still quite drunk from the rum-soaked night previously and the editor-in-chief Lotterman (Richard Jenkins) is already questioning his morals and capability. Of course, we are seeing Johnny Depp portray a character that is intoxicated the major part of this movie and I think is hilarious handling it.
Kemp is introduced to Rob Sala (Michael Rispoli), the 'staff recorder' and later to Moburg (Giovanni Ribisi) the 'religious correspondent'. These titles are certainly a laugh in themselves as they are not even close to what these guys are up to. They go in and out of the paper's office, argue with Lotterman and go off in whatever misguided direction that they came from. Watch Ribisi's character in this, as I think he steals the show in several places.
The plot is quite simple and I'm guessing a little more so than some people may be expecting from the movie. Kemp was brought into a sinking ship of a paper to appease the locals and try to keep it afloat. This is a kind of slack-off position for Kemp to have to handle, one he does with gusto.
The 'problem' comes when Kemp and his buddies begin to care about the paper and the people of San Juan, then start to believe in their rights as readers of it. Aaron Eckhart does a great job as the arrogant cad he is here. Amber Heard does a good job as his girlfriend, and Kemp's object of desire also.
Depp's mannerisms, facial expressions and sarcastic humor are all spot on. I definitely can see why he was personally behind the project. One does not have to be a Hunter S. Thompson fan to enjoy this movie whatsoever. It is not like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" as it may appear several people are comparing this to. Same author, different situation (semi-autobiographical account)--although one hallucinogenic type scene does take place between Kemp and his close buddy, Sala.
Moburg floats in and out of the head state he is in to end up really enjoying Kemp, and gains a respect for himself too. Eventually these three are sharing an apartment for awhile. The deluded conversations are priceless.
I enjoyed this movie very much by just taking it for what it is, a Johnny Depp comedy/drama. The other actors in this movie add a lot of regional color and flavor while Depp's two cohorts (Rispoli and Ribisi) add an overdose of alcoholic comedy. Some of the situations that these three get into are over the top and make you think, 'Is this really based on a true story?' Yep.
Want The Rum Diary (2011) Discount?
In 2011, 13 years after first portraying a Hunter S. Thompson doppelganger in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Johnny Depp took on two roles that referenced the controversial writer: one by way of an animated chameleon that took its cues from Fear and Loathing's Raoul Duke, and the other by way of an adaptation of Thompson's semi-autobiographical debut novel, The Rum Diary. While the former was considered a success, the latter, unfortunately, split critics in much the same way that Fear and Loathing did. The Rum Diary follows journalist Paul Kemp as he travels to Puerto Rico to write for a local paper. While there, Paul is tasked with writing a favorable story about an American entrepreneur intent on exploiting the island for commercial gain, and Paul must contemplate the murky moral nature of the piece. I felt that Depp was as committed to the role as ever, and that the film was colorful and amiable enough, but I was also a bit put off by the rambling source material, which made for an unfocused narrative. Fans of both Thompson and Depp may enjoy the flick, but there are no guarantees here.Save 52% Off
