Set in 1960's Puerto Rico against a backdrop of American occupation and investment, a writer joins the local paper and learns that there's no room for real journalism in a country that needs to keep up appearances. Served with copious amounts of alcohol.
Directed by Bruce Robinson. Starring Johnny Depp, Giovanni Risibi, Michael Rispoli
Chosen by Eoin
Considering my expectations had been lowered on this film through the big "JD has done another flop" story, coupled with the fact I'm a big Hunter S. Thompson fan and recently read the book, I enjoyed this adaptation for the most part.
ReplyDeleteI loved the depth and breadth of supporting characters throughout the film, especially Giovanni Risibi's take on the perma-drunk, Hitler loving 'Moburg'. Chenault was for me too easy for Kemp to pursue and therefor lacked the strength she has in the book, which better explains her defiance of Sanderson in the club.
Depp in the main role was good but I felt that it could have been far more intoxicated throughout, continuing his opening scene in the hotel then first day at the office. This would however distracted the comedy effect of the support and so I can see why he was more the straight man.
It felt like the parts where he was in writing mode, there were shades of Depps 'Fear and Loathing' portrayal (aided by the mono-logging) and I wonder if, even though Hunter S. hadn't quite developed his Gonzo style of journalism when he wrote this, they wanted to reflect the author as a way of tribute.
It was slow and too hollywood in parts for me, and Kemp was not subservient enough to the alcohol but there was some nice direction and the script was mostly sharp so hats of to Bruce Robinson.
6.5/10
As a big Thompson fan I've been looking forward to this film for years. As he described Depp's Fear and Loathing adaptation as "a trumpet call across a lost battlefied" unfortunately the Rum Diary falls somewhat short.
ReplyDeleteFor me this film is about a writers journey towards finding his true voice. It was about fighting for the little man and injustice, and the building of one of the greatest writers of our generation - played through an alter ego 'Kemp'.
In the first scene we're introduced to a typical Thompson hell raiser type character while we all prepare to strap ourselves in. This unfortunately doesn't turn out to be the case with the characters drunkenness being very inconsistent throughout the whole film even giving up alcohol at one stage!
For me Bruce Robinson fails to bring this film to life and it's a real shame that only two lines of the original books dialogue made it into the movie! Even when 'Kemp' speaks about "rage and ink" I never really feel the writers true rage. The story goes that Depp found the original manuscript for the Rum Diary in Thompson's basement convincing one of his friends to publish it. Depp and Robinson have clearly been given free reign on this film and as a result they manage to forget one very important thing - the original book!
Although Ribisi was solid (as always), I thought Michael Rispoli as Sala was terrible and Richard Jenkins as Lotterman was unconvincing. Considering Thompson and Jack Nicholson's great friendship I would have loved to see him play a Lotterman or he would have made for a very funny army major! His contribution really would have spruced things up a bit but Robinson's intention was probably to make the film dry and slow throughout coming to no real climax. Who knows maybe the films purpose is just a big "Fuck You" to Hollywood!
Verdict: The plot is not nearly as good as the original novel. Some books are better left untouched.
6.5/10