Director: Bruce Robinson
Producers: Jonny Depp, Graham King, Christi Dembrowski, Anthony Rhulen, Robert Kravis
Writer: Bruce Robinson
Music: Christopher Young
Cinematographer: Dariusz Wolski
Editor: Carol Littleton
Genre: Drama
Run Time: 120mins
Rated: M15+
Based on the autobiographical novel of the same name by Hunter S. Thompson, writer/director Bruce Robinson creates an adaptation filled with quirk, randomness and of course, copious amounts of rum, all set in the luscious yet "lost" backdrop of Puerto Rico during the 1950s. We open on nomadic journalist Paul Kemp (Depp) post his flee from the Eisenhower-era laced streets of New York City. He quickly lands a job as a Horoscope writer/reporter for the slowly sinking newspaper, The San Juan Star. HIs insatiable tongue for rum entangles him into a web of mixed characters. From the generous, truth-seeking, and slightly insane fellow journalists wanting to maintain a 'voice' for the people of this country to the greedy, wealthy, lying real-estate developers looking to cheat and own the locals by bulldozing them with their version of "The American Dream". With feelings of having his principals challenged, Paul's moral compass comes into focus, maturing his writing beyond his dreams and towards the "smell of truth". Outstanding performances by all the cast. This has got to be some of Jonny Depp's best non-character acting since Blow. Giovani Ribisi plays the intellectual, constantly intoxicated, degenerate reporter which is a new character- never seen before in relation to his past works. An impressive depiction of the character and of course, very believable. Aaron Eckhart does a convincing job as the sleazy, wealthy real-estate developer and again, this is a new light for him which he pulls-off well. Chenault, played by Amber Heard, provides the love interest for the film and is absolutely stunning! Cinematography and editing are both very intricate, allowing us an intimate look into each scene form the perspective of its players. Music mostly gravitates towards the local Puerto Rican flair with lots of the tunes being played by local bands throughout the film. This just adds to the original flavour of the film's setting and its hot Summer nights. This film flickers and switches between the incredibly civilised to the absolute bazaar with flawless measure which can only be originally depicted through the literature of Hunter S. Thompson. Like many of his past works, The Rum Diary test the boundaries of finding oneself whilst eccentrically asking those existential questions.
Happy Watching!!
Happy Watching!!
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