Film Review: Rum Diary0

A tribute to one of Hunter S. Thompson’s greatest novels: re-written by Bruce Robinson and starring Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, and Giovanni Ribisi.

I absolutely love the book The Rum Diary by Hunter Thompson. Actually, I like everything I’ve ever read by Hunter Thompson. If you’re like me, then you were amped when you first heard that Johnny Depp was working on this project. And now it’s finally here.

If you haven’t read it, then know that the book is a wonderful romp through the mind of a young journalist who has, for better or worse, taken a job at an English Language paper in Puerto Rico. Being that this book is based in the late 50’s/early 60′s there is a strong theme illuminating ever so subtly: the colonization and exploitation of Puerto Rico. But still holding true to the Gonzo style there is plenty of realistic/vivid drunken debauchery and excitement throughout.

The movie was re-written for the screen by Bruce Robinson and I feel he did a fairly good job considering this is a Hollywood interpretation of a book from a wildly creative and brilliant mind.

I feel as though Robinson kept as much of the integrity of the book as possible, without freaking out the studio heads, which in-turn turned it into a more typical Hollywood story. Trying to market to the tastes of the general movie going public is hard, and more so when it comes to Thompson’s no-holds-barred style. So I applaud Robinsons work.

Robinson also added some psychedelic scenes which aren’t in the book for those Fear and Loathing fans that are sure to inundate movie theaters with their loud and obnoxious drug abuse.

If you have read the book, you know that the love interest in this story was not only a secondary focus but far less “Hollywood.” This was my biggest disappointment with the movie. The book was nothing close to a love story, but that’s pretty much all you get with the movie. I guess this is to be expected considering two hours is not much time to get an audience intrigued, but that doesn’t make me like this aspect of the movie in any way, so it’s a moot point.

My favorite part of the movie was seeing the character interpretations by some of my favorite actors. The cast was excellently picked, specifically the role of Sala (played by Michale Rispoli). I don’t think anyone could have played the roll better.

My overall opinion on the movie is that it’s great. This film is filled with adventure, conflict, romance and intrigue that every movie go-er will find worthwhile. But if you want this film to go from great to amazing: I’ve heard tell of a game being played all over the country that can get it there. And it involves actual rum.

Now, I’m not condoning getting drunk in public but the rules go like this: sneak bottles of rum into the theater and take a shot every time the characters in the movie drink. I may or may not be telling you this first hand, but “they” say you’re wasted by the end and you feel far more in touch with the movie. Make sure to bring a designated driver or go to a theater near a bar.

The book, as usual, is far better. I recommend you take a peek when you get a chance; it was, after all, written by one of the greatest writers of his time.