The Rum Diary | Film review

by Billie-Jade Thomas

★★✰✰✰

Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Hunter S. Thompson, this eagerly anticipated adaptation of The Rum Diary tells the unhinged story of freelance journalist Paul Kemp’s (Johnny Depp) move to Puerto Rico to write for local newspaper the San Juan Star, run by hopeless editor Edward Lotterman (Richard Jenkins).

After being recruited by local property developer, Hal Sanderson, to write favourably about his latest money-making scheme, Kemp has a choice: to help Sanderson with his scheme or use the power of the pen to ‘bring the bastards down’ in a fight against capitalism.

Though the film itself has enough laughs and witty one-liners to make up for its rambling and messy storyline, fans of Hunter S. Thompson may be left slightly disappointed.

By focusing more on ‘getting the girl’ rather than ‘bringing the bastards down’ the author’s potentially powerful message is somewhat lost.

Depp and Rispoli form an interesting and entertaining on-screen partnership, giving the film some of its best moments.

 Although it is an undeniably entertaining adaptation of Thompson’s novel, many would agree there is not enough visual flair in The Rum Diary to make the magic of the book work on screen.