Recently "The Rum Diary" hit movie theatres (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376136/ ). The story is based upon the book written by Hunter S. Thompson. Because I had not read the book, something of which I wanted to do, I went and saw this in theatres. The story is based upon a journalist who moves from New York to Puerto Rico to write for newspaper there. Not only does he write for the newspaper but is asked to write in favor of a plan a property developer is cooking up. While trying to continue writing and find a voice for his own personal novels, he is caught up in alcoholism, lust, and deciding whether or not to fall into the ploy of a manipulative antagonist.
The movie was directed by Bruce Robinson. This was his first film since the release of "Jennifer Eight" in 1992 (which went on to win an Audience Award and Special jury prize). He acted in plenty other movies in the 70s and released other titles such as "How to get ahead in advertising" and "Withnail & I", "Withnail & I" later winning him the Evening Standard British Film Award for best screenplay. His writing for "The Killing Fields" was nominated for an Oscar, Golden Globe, and won a WGA award and BAFTA award. (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0732430/ )
The movie translated from Hunter S. Thompsons "The Rum Diary", written in the 60's and later published in 98. Thompson (http://www.gonzo.org/ ) is known for works such as "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and creating "Gonzo" journalism (a sort of first person view of events). The trend I am catching though as I skim through web reviews of the movie is that the movie does a bad job of corresponding to events and people in the book. Although I had not read the book I feel like this may be true. It seemed like during the movie there were too many details missing and too many also that had to be squished into the story.
It is only similar to something like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". Depps character is supposed to portray Thompson of course, but is hardly anything like what you would expect. When I imagined the story line and after seeing the trailer especially you expect a lot more than what you get in the movie, with there only being one or two scenes of classic rendition you would expect. Most of the film just being very bland.
Importance..Hmm.. Moral reflections? Greed? Those are the only two things I could think of. Seeing such an immoral thing and deciding to ride it out for the benefit of yourself, or standing up for what you find correct. Things like this are and will always be a reflection of our culture. The get rich quick idea and greed are constantly surrounding our lives.
I would expect fans of Thompson to see this movie. Maybe someone just looking for an entertaining and wild flick like "Fear and Loathing" (although those people will be disappointed I think). The theater was pretty empty with there being around 15 people Im guessing, most of which were alone, and a few of which left in the middle. So it seems like it fits into a fine little niche. As for stereotypes, there is the successful, attractive, rich american man with the blonde bombshell who is quite wild, drunken writers (which most of the cast is supposed to be, but falls a little short) , and a nazi supremist.
The movie touches bases on a lot of details, or tries to, and really branches out. It keeps building (vaguely) to what you would imagine to be a climactic ending only to let you down. There are a lot of things they tried to jam into the movie it seemed with only a short section covering the main idea. A long movie with only a small fraction of it having to do with anything. The trialer really makes you believe you are in for some great action flick, with the trailer being more exciting than the whole movie. It doesnt ween you into the movie, it is the movie. Wouldnt recommend it, wouldnt see it again. Doesnt even make me want to read the book. Critics widely are agreeing that the movie missed the point. Only jumping partly into details, halfway working around a plot. I would say I agree. Generally exposing you to all these things and then never fully fill you in.
What I did like, was not the movie, but what Depps character is going after. Real journalism. He has seen before him a greedy scheme and plot and he seeks justice of this. The protection of democracy and our first ammendment rights. Letting people know the truth. What he represents and tries to find throughout the movie.
After seeing it now, I dont want to read the book, but I may. Just to see.
