Boy, if you can’t get excited over finally being able to watch the trailer for The Rum Diary, I’m not sure if anything could get you excited. This is a film that I remember first hearing mumblings about back when I was still in high school, before Johnny Depp had hit super megastar status with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. After watching it, I’m thinking it is going to live up to all of my high expectations.
Based on the novel written by Hunter S. Thompson when he was only 22 (but not released until much later in 1998), the movie follows freelance journalist Paul Kemp (Depp) and his alcohol and sex fueled life after moving to write in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the late 1950s. Directed by Bruce Robinson (Withnail & I, Jennifer 8) and co-starring the likes of Amber Heard, Aaron Eckhart, Giovanni Ribisi, and Richard Jenkins, the film will finally be in theaters on October 28, 2011.
After all of these years since Fear and Loathing, what are your thoughts on the trailer? (tucked under the seat)
I think Depp might win me back with this one.
It doesn’t have the innate weirdness of the Gilliam film (judging by the trailer of course) but Man, it’s great to see Depp back in this role, on of my favourites for an actor with a LOT of good ones.
The book was great. Looking forward to the movie. Looks like Johnny Depp has another award winner.
Yeah, Paul Kemp is much more of a straight man than Raoul Duke – just another aspect of Thompson’s self, although interesting to note that he wrote the story about this middle aged Kemp when he was only 22. Still, the book isn’t nearly as zany as Fear and Loathing either, partially because The Rum Diary is a story driven by excessive consumption of alcohol, rather than drugs.
Finally this is here! Here’s a “prequel” I can get on board with.
Still, I agree with Kurt that while this looks like a lot of fun, it’s seems a little more silly and slapsticky than the Gilliam head trip. Not that that’s a bad thing necessarily; but clearly these are two completely separate entities.
Definitely – and I think they are actually actively trying to separate the two in people’s heads. Notice that they did say Hunter S. Thompson, but they didn’t mention FEAR & LOATHING in the trailer anywhere.
Aaron Eckhart, Giovani Ribisi, Richard Jenkins. That supporting cast is winning!
I too will say that I am very glad to see Depp returning to this character (complete with that classic voiceover), but in a different sort of film. It certainly looks like a film I’ll very much enjoy – they aren’t entirely abusing the Thompson persona or the man’s work, it seems.
But all the same, I’ll miss the combined nuttiness of Gilliam and Del Toro.
I’m very anxious to see Depp embody the good doctor again! Thompson influenced the past few generations with his invention of Gonzo Journalism. His work and antics will live on to influence even more generations to come. I paid tribute to Hunter S Thompson and his work with my portrait and article on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/02/in-memoriam-hunter-s-thompson.html