The Rum Diary

JCos

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1169989/Johnny-Depp-brings-late-friend-Hunter-S-Thompson-life-film-version-The-Rum-Diary.html

I read the book a few years ago, not a patch on Fear and Loating but still a decent read. It wil be interesting to see how it's portrayed.

JP Liz V1

Any trailer out yet?

JP Liz V1

http://www.deadline.com/2011/03/johnny-depps-second-hunter-thompson-pic-rum-diary-lands-at-filmdistrict/

NEW YORK, March, 29, 2011 – It was announced today at CinemaCon, by Bob Berney, President, Theatrical Distribution that FilmDistrict will release “The Rum Diary,” based on the early Hunter S. Thompson novel that was ultimately published in 1998. It stars Johnny Depp and will be released on October 28, 2011. The film is directed by Bruce Robinson (“Withnail and I”) from his own screenplay and also stars Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, Michael Rispoli, Richard Jenkins and Giovanni Ribisi. “The Rum Diary” is produced by Infinitum Nihil, the production company headed by Depp and Christi Dembrowski, along with Graham King and Tim Headington. Anthony Rhulen and Robert Kravis also produce.
“The Rum Diary” tells the increasingly unhinged story of itinerant journalist Paul Kemp (Depp). Tired of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, Kemp travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local San Juan newspaper run by the downtrodden editor Lotterman (Jenkins). Adopting the rum-soaked lifestyle of the late ‘50s version of Hemingway’s “The Lost Generation,” Paul soon becomes entangled with a very attractive American woman, Chenault (Heard) and her fiancée Sanderson (Eckhart), a businessman involved in shady property development deals. It is within this world that Kemp ultimately discovers his true voice as a writer and integrity as a man.
“Hunter S. Thompson became close with Johnny Depp during the filming of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and showed Depp the unpublished manuscript for The Rum Diary,” says producer and FilmDistrict co-founder Graham King. “I am extremely proud to bring this novel to film and to honor Hunter’s legacy.”
Peter Schlessel, CEO of FilmDistrict and President of GK Films, says, “The Rum Diary” is a special project for all of us here, as it is a true collaboration between both of our entities. Depp gives an extraordinary performance in this remarkable adaptation.”
“Robinson directed one of my favorite films, “Withnail and I” – combine that with Hunter S. Thompson and it’s a match made in celluloid heaven,” says Bob Berney, President of Distribution, FilmDistrict.
“The Rum Diary” is a GK Films, Infinitum Nihil and Film Engine production produced by Johnny Depp, Christi Dembrowski, Anthony Rhulen, Robert Kravis, Tim Headington and Graham King.

Still no sign of a trailer

RonMexico

http://amberheardofficial.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/amber-heard-entertainment-weekly-08-19-2011.jpg

First shot of Amber Heard as Chenault.

Trailer rumoured to hit this weekend.

Brennaldo II

Really looking forward to this. I'm a huge Depp fan and love his movies. Also, he was really close to the author so I'd imagine he took this role seriously.

RonMexico

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqzmEqIxACs

Mickeroo

Trailer looks pretty funny. I've not read the book, I take it the main character is largely based on Thompson himself? Or at least that's the way Depp is approaching it considering the voice he's using. Hopefully it turns out to be just as trippy and messed up as Fear & Loathing, although the trailer doesn't look like it will be! Robinson's first outing as director in about 19 years!

johnny_ultimate

I read the book a few years ago, and it definitely isn't as 'hardcore' as Fear & Loathing. It still has the trademark Hunter. S lunacy in parts, but it's definitely tamer. Worth a read though, will see how the film turns out.

Miguel_Sanchez

From what I remember the book was mostly booze rather than drugs and was based at least partially on Thompson's experiences.

It'll be interesting to see what Robinson does with it alright.

Peter Walczak

Read the book too. I'm really looking forward to watch the movie.

RonMexico

HD trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m0yqS3jodU

RonMexico

TV Spot

Also a teaser poster has been released:

Liisa

I'm really ecxited to see it!
I was a little bit disappointed with Public Enemies and The Tourist, so I hope it's going to be one of the better Johnny-Depp-films.

Fishooks12

Hope it does Hunter justice, unlike the travesty that was the film adaptation of FALILV (only good thing about it was the performance of Depp and Del Toro)

JohnFalstaff

RonMexico wrote: »

HD trailer

The first two minutes of the trailer don't exactly inspire confidence, but it really picks up towards the end. That last scene with the cinquecento is pretty damn funny...

RonMexico

Fishooks12 wrote: »

Hope it does Hunter justice, unlike the travesty that was the film adaptation of FALILV (only good thing about it was the performance of Depp and Del Toro)

Travesty? That film is legendary!

Fishooks12

RonMexico wrote: »

Travesty? That film is legendary!

It's a mess, have you read the book? The book actually is a masterpiece whereas the film is just a mess of drug induced imagery without any of the books messages

And I say that as a huge Hunter fan

Oafley Jones

Fishooks12 wrote: »

It's a mess, have you read the book? The book actually is a masterpiece whereas the film is just a mess of drug induced imagery without any of the books messages

And I say that as a huge Hunter fan

It's one of my favourite adaptations. Not a huge fan of Gilliam, but think his aesthetic works very well for this in which is a fairly faithful translation of the source material.

Curious as to what you think of Where the Buffalo Roam?

Fishooks12

Oafley Jones wrote: »

It's one of my favourite adaptations. Not a huge fan of Gilliam, but think his aesthetic works very well for this in which is a fairly faithful translation of the source material.

Curious as to what you think of Where the Buffalo Roam?

I loved the first half our of the Gilliam adaptation but went over-board there after and I felt a lot of the themes of the book were neglected in favour of portraying the excessive drug use as opposed to the political and cultural messages that went with them in the book

WTBR is watch-able but very messy in parts

Early reviews of the Rum Diary aren't overly positive either I'm hoping to be surprised though.

RonMexico

Fishooks12 wrote: »

It's a mess, have you read the book? The book actually is a masterpiece whereas the film is just a mess of drug induced imagery without any of the books messages

And I say that as a huge Hunter fan

I'm doing a PhD on the man and I run http://totallygonzo.org so yes I have read the book

I know where you are coming from though, the book is a masterpiece but I think that it is difficult to make the transition from book to screen. I think Gilliam did his best and whatever his failings Depp/Del Toro more than make up for it.

RonMexico

Looking forward to seeing this. Was supposed to open this weekend but release has been pushed back to the 11th.

Fishooks12

Reviews are pretty off putting tbh

Expectations will be low going in!

LighterGuy

Am I the only one who keeps thinking of Captain Jack Sparrow since its Depp and called "the rum diary"

.. I honestly thought it was a pirates sequel when I saw it on his imdb months ago

dr gonzo

RonMexico wrote: »

I'm doing a PhD on the man and I run http://totallygonzo.org so yes I have read the book

Wow! What your thesis title?

Also, been waiting for this film for years so cant wait now.

Skinfull

I'm going to see this flick tomorrow and I'm a little hesitant (unlimited card so its kinda free). I am a semi-fan of hunter and have read some of his stuff but this movie just doesn't strike me as being entertaining. Depp has been slowly losing his grip on reality, so maybe he will do the role justice but I've heard nothing but bad things about this!

Fishooks12

Skinfull wrote: »

I'm going to see this flick tomorrow and I'm a little hesitant (unlimited card so its kinda free). I am a semi-fan of hunter and have read some of his stuff but this movie just doesn't strike me as being entertaining. Depp has been slowly losing his grip on reality, so maybe he will do the role justice but I've heard nothing but bad things about this!

It's one of Hunters worst books too IMO. Don't think it would have ever seen the light of day if he was still writing as well into his later years

RonMexico

dr gonzo wrote: »

Wow! What your thesis title?

Also, been waiting for this film for years so cant wait now.

I am examining the the development of "The Hunterfigure" & "Gonzo Journalism" in Thompson's work up to the end of the 70's.

Fishooks12 wrote: »

It's one of Hunters worst books too IMO. Don't think it would have ever seen the light of day if he was still writing as well into his later years

The Rum Diary is by no means a bad book. It has its own charm and you must take into account that it was written before Thompson developed his own unique style. Of course it pales next to his best work, but those are literary masterpieces.

As for the film, well it is getting hammered but I think one thing must be highlighted here - the input of Bruce Robinson.

He read the book once, threw it away and only included three lines from the whole book.

So lets be honest here, he has changed so much from the original book that it would be more accurate to call it - Bruce Robinson's The Rum Diary.

I can't believe that Depp went along with that approach. I think he was too enthralled by Robinson to question him. Big mistake.

The changes have pretty much enraged Thompson fans. Not a good thing to piss off your core audience for a film that by its very nature/rating would already have a limited audience. Baffling.

Fishooks12

RonMexico wrote: »

The Rum Diary is by no means a bad book. It has its own charm and you must take into account that it was written before Thompson developed his own unique style. Of course it pales next to his best work

I never said it was a bad book but like you said, it pales next to its best work. Don't think it was suitable for adaptation either

RonMexico

Fishooks12 wrote: »

I never said it was a bad book but like you said, it pales next to its best work. Don't think it was suitable for adaptation either

Yeah and Sean Penn has optioned The Curse of Lono, another book that will not translate into a good movie.

If someone is going to make another Thompson movie then there is really only three options.

Hell's Angels

Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72

A life story.

Fishooks12

RonMexico wrote: »

Yeah and Sean Penn has optioned The Curse of Lono, another book that will not translate into a good movie.

If someone is going to make another Thompson movie then there is really only three options.

Hell's Angels

Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72

A life story.

Hell's Angels would work really well if done properly

Skinfull

This wasn't as bad as I thought it was gonna be or as most people are portraying it to be. (I didn't see one boom mic in shot though there were several reflections of the cameraman!)
the only thing that ruined it for me was the narrative voice over at the end. There was no need for it, the scene was set up perfectly and the visuals were working fine as an ending on their own.

johnny_ultimate

Ended up with two hours to kill today, and since the only other film showing was something to do with vampires, decided to check this out. Well nine-tenths of it anyway, before I had to run away to a meeting. (also: Cineworld seem to actively plan screenings during the day at the most awkward possible intervals).

It was OK. Harmless, really, which isn't necessarily a positive word when it comes to Thompson stuff. A lot of the stuff wasn't handled well - the Heard subplot was particularly off-putting. I read the book some time ago, and thought it was solid if unspectacular. Same thing here. OK visuals. OK performances (Rabisi, however, overacted it something fierce). OK direction. OK script. Comic timing seemed way off, and the music cues were very lazy. There did seem a welcome shift towards a general Thompson coming-of-age story when I had to leave - I left just after

Heard shows up at Kemp's apartment and he proclaims his intention to be the last angry man

. It felt like a suitable exit point. Did I miss anything of import?