The Rum Diary
Over a decade after portraying famed novelist Hunter S.
Thompson in the psychedelic “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” Johnny Depp is
back to play him in the most recent adaptation, “The Rum Diary.” Ok, so his
character’s name in “Fear and Loathing” was Raoul Duke and here it’s Paul Kemp,
but in reality both characters are semi-autobiographical versions of Thompson
himself. Depp was in fact a close friend of Thompson until his death in 2005
(the film is dedicated to him), so he was able to perfect the author’s
mannerisms and tics for “Fear and Loathing,” and has succeeded mostly in
bringing that persona back to the big screen.
Plot Synopsis: Journalist
and aspiring novelist Paul Kemp takes a freelance post at a struggling American
newspaper in 1950s Puerto Rico. While living with fellow writers Sala and
Moberg, Kemp has to deal with his hard-ass boss Lotterman, corrupt land dealer
Sanderson, and Sanderson’s beautiful girlfriend Chenault. All of this while
trying to have a fun time heavily drinking into the night and tripping into
even more trouble.
While I wouldn’t call myself a big fan of “Fear and
Loathing,” I still think it’s a very entertaining movie to watch thanks to
Depp’s performance and the trippy adventures he goes through in Vegas. “The Rum
Diary” takes place before Thompson/Kemp is fully into hard drugs, but still has
a penchant for lots of alcohol.
The material is a good fit for writer-director Bruce
Robinson, who knows a thing or two about lovable drunks with his hilarious cult
movie “Withnail and I.” Similar to the “Withnail” characters, Kemp and Sala
live in dirty squalor, which reminds us of how these people are living in a
dirty reality even as they have crazy drunken encounters with the locals.
The effect works for a while, but grows thin once we realize
that the movie isn’t really going anywhere. Thompson could get a way with his
rambling stories because his writing prose was fun to read and “Fear and
Loathing” slid by too by being consistently funny and crazy to watch. Toning
down the craziness in theory should allow the plot to breathe, but instead it
only reminds us of the fact that these multiple plot threads don’t add up to
much.
There’s no concrete theme present to connect them together
(the American Dream idea is dropped right as it’s brought up) and the
conclusion is too anticlimactic to be truly satisfying. The first act is a
great, the second act has some really funny scenes, but the third act is bereft
of the humor that would’ve distracted us from the unfocused plot.
The blame can’t be placed on the actors though. Depp, as I
said before, is great. Aaron Eckhart (Sanderson) and Richard Jenkins
(Lotterman) have fun with their sleazy characters. Of the supporting players,
Michael Rispoli (Sala) was the standout. Easygoing, funny, and a good friend to
Kemp; he is probably the most likable person in the film. Amber Heard is also
gorgeous and alluring as Chenault, Kemp’s lustful love interest. Giovanni’s
Ribisi’s strung out, wheezy shtick as Moberg has some great moments, but grows
old after a while.
“The Rum Diary” most likely won’t reach the cult status that
“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (or “Withnail and I” for that matter) has
achieved, but it remains an entertaining, although disjointed journey for those
who want to see more Hunter S. Thompson. It even plays like a prequel that
could be played back to back with Johnny Depp’s previous Thompson incarnation.
2.5/4 Rating Criteria
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