Posted by Cousin Adam on October 28, 2011
Rated R – 1h59
Looking through glassy eyes, it’s hard to find focus, even if your intentions were to have a good time. It’s the same story for Johnny Depp’s toast to Hunter S. Thompson in The Rum Diary. The heart is in the right place, but this one stumbles around a little too much.
The film is based on the long lost novel of the same name that Thompson wrote in the 1960’s, but didn’t publish until 1998. Depp supposedly found the material amongst Thompson’s things and has since been key in getting the film produced.
The story involves journalist Paul Kemp (Depp) who takes a job at the San Juan Star in Puerto Rico. His sleazy editor Lotterman (Richard Jenkins) immediately sets the tone of the film by asking Kemp if he’s drunk and how much he drinks. Kemp replies in a Thompson-esque voice “The high end of social.”
From there, Kemp is wooed by Sanderson, (Aaron Eckhart) a developer who has plans to get rich by developing the lush island. It’s Sanderson’s attempt to control the media in his favor.
The film is somewhat autobiographical because Thompson did apply at the San Juan Star, but didn’t get the job. It’s completely autobiographical in regards to how Depp, for a second time, entertains by channeling Thompson. It’s a treat to hear the witty dialogue come rolling off his mumbling tongue.
Another standout is Sanderson’s fiancee’, played by the luscious Amber Heard. Her character Chenault is like a beautiful tidal wave. She’s literally the girl that talks you into speed racing the brand new car you’ve just been given by daddy.
If there was a main point, it’s how Kemp tries to use his righteous journalistic integrity to save the people of Puerto Rico from a greedy American developer. Still this is more of a rum fueled exercise in functional alcoholism. I feel like they touched on everything that Thompson was, but didn’t deliver that gonzo element.
Who’s the most overpaid person you know?
Simon Cowell and Sting are in a heated battle! Sting had some unkind words for Simon Cowell and his shows and Simon is fuming. Supposedly, Sting expressed his outrage over all of Simon’s series claiming the programs were appalling and accusing Simon of humiliating contestants and degrading the music industry. He then referred to the talent shows as “televised karaoke”. Simon was furious after hearing this and took some time on Saturday night’s X Factor taping to reach out to Sting. Simon asked him to come on the show and prove himself. Simon says, “Sting said these contestants and past contestants are a bunch of karaoke no-hopers…I think this show and other shows have given people like Leona Lewis and Susan Boyle a chance. And I’m going to extend an invitation to Sting to come on the show and impart his knowledge.”
Johnny Depp really might be the perfect man. Nicolas Cage is one of Johnny’s oldest friends and just happens to owe millions of dollars to the government right now. Johnny has supposedly reached out to Nic and told him not to worry about his debt and that he will help him sort everything out. Who knew that Johnny owes his career to Nicolas Cage? Johnny was just a struggling musician when he met Nic back in the 80’s and Nic set up a meeting with his agent and helped him land his first role in Nightmare on Elm Street. Sources say that Johnny has never forgotten what Nic did for him and wants to help him out.
Is Johnny Depp backing out of the Pirates of the Caribbean for good? Well the chairman of Disney Studios, Dick Cook, has just announced that he is stepping down immediately. He claims it is his own decision but the CEO of Disney has spoken out about his disappointments with Cook. Well this isn’t good news for Johnny Depp. People in the industry say he is ridiculously popular amongst the stars and Johnny says he is shocked at the news. Johnny says, “He’s instantly trustworthy. And you generally don’t at the studios you trust. He’s a rare beast. Cook was apparently the only one who liked Jonny’s idea of portraying Jack Sparrow the way he did and fought for it. Jonny says that without Cook there, there’s a crack in his enthusiasm and he doesn’t think he will sign on for the next movie. From the start, Johnny has said that he does the movies for his kids so maybe they can talk him into it!
One of Jessica’s “friends” has spoken to People Magazine about her concern for Jessica since the loss of her dog Daisy. The Maltipoo was taken off in the mouth of a coyote last week and Jessica is finally coming to grips with the fact that she’s gone. Jess’s friend says that this is going to put Jessica into a tailspin and leave her in the worst place ever. This source says that Daisy was literally Jess’s best friend. She threw Daisy birthday parties, and when she talked about having a “girls’ night in” with a video, she was talking about herself and Daisy. When Simpson was having relationship problems, she would cry herself to sleep at night, using Daisy as a pillow. The friend went on about how needy and clingy Jess can be and sometimes she’s hard to be around. Apparently she smothers people because she wants to be with them ALL the time and Daisy was just what she needed. Poor Jessica just needs to catch a break!
Reviewed 7.5.09