Somewhere in a hereafter paradise, writer Hunter S. Thompson is smiling.  Why?  Because a trusted and loyal friend like Johnny Depp kept true to his word and adapted his age old novel into a crafty, witty and stimulatingly produced film.  Let’s be clear here, if you’re looking for a fun ride in the sunny tropics with Depp channeling Captain Jack of ‘Pirates’ fame, you might want to look elsewhere.  But if you want a thought provoking, mental imaginarium of the wondrous celebration of writer bringing ink to quill, you will love this movie, and you’ll walk away like me thinking actor Michael Rispoli just earned his first Academy award nomination (for Supporting Actor).

Rum Diary isn’t a simple story, nor is it a complete one, it’s more like an episode within a life which is based loosely on novel writer Thompson’s humble beginnings as a beat reporter for a newspaper based in Puerto Rico.  Kemp (Depp) is a brash new voice coming to the island to find a last ditch cause to keep his writing career alive while simultaneously drowning his creativity in the ever present supply of rum and various libations on the island.  He haphazardly stumbles onto a real estate swindle simply by being a charming newcomer in the right place at the right time.  Consigning to be the defender of the people and the one these rich cheating ‘bastards’ will fear, he pieces together the sordid details of the
scam.  Complicating the matters is a lusty and vibrant young lass named Chenault, the girlfriend of the primary swindler.   Armed with a great set of wits, and a truly loyal wingman in Sala his new found workmate, Kemp finds his true focus and in some higher way, his path as a writer of truth.

From a writing perspective, this film is Oscar fodder.  I wouldn’t be surprised either way if it was nominated or not for its writing, but I have to put my call in for Michael Rispoli who portrays Sala for Best Supporting.  I’ve seen him act in all sorts of mob type vehicles; The Soprano’s, Kick Ass!, even Rounders –  it was both shock and elation that I could forget all of that in his Sala.  His delivery, his comfort in the skin of the character – hell for moments I thought he might be Spanish.  It was an immersion I didn’t think a character actor like that could reach. His strength emboldened Depp’s and their camaraderie on screen is so fluid for it.

Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention leading lady Amber Heard who portrays Chenault.  No stranger to ‘hot girl’ roles, she does not disappoint here.  If you saw her turn as Jenn Jones in 2009’s ‘The Joneses’ you’re in for a treat twice as good.  Oh, her acting ability?  Sorry about that – not much growth or a stretch for her to play a young smoking hot party girl.  Her brief stint in the film towards the dramatic is lost in the very reason that put her into the situation.

Would I get wrapped in the mouth for saying that however regarded Giovanni Ribisi might be (and don’t think I didn’t like his ego maniacal spin in Avatar),  I didn’t really care for his role?  Yes, it could be regarded as the comic relief, you might even say his stupefied psycho drunk
portrayal was inspiring – but for me it was just there.  Plain and uninspired.  The opposite can be said for Richard Jenkins (Six Feet Under) portrayal of aging newspaper editor Lotterman.   Jenkins has never disappointed me, and his brief but vital role here continues that tradition.

 

B-

 

The Rum Diary is rated R.  Running Time is 120 minutes.