The road of “The Rum Diary” getting to the big screen has been a long one. The novel, by Hunter S. Thompson, was written in 1960 but wasn’t published until 1998. Back in 2003, it was reported that Benicio Del Toro was set to direct and co-star in the film along side Johnny Depp (they also paired in Terry Gilliam’s “Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas,”which was also based on a novel by Thompson), but Del Toro dropped out because it took over 18 months to get the cameras rolling. But shortly, Bruce Robinson stepped in to take over. Who you ask? The writer/director had a one-two punch with “Withnail & I” and “How To Get Ahead In Advertising”, but after that his career has fizzled like our open can of Pabst Blue Ribbon. What? Did you expect us to write a story about Hunter and not be drinking?
Anyhow, the novel/movie involves a journalist named Paul Kemp (Depp), who moves from New York to work for a major newspaper, The Daily News, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The novel encompasses a tangled love story of jealousy, treachery, and violent alcoholic lust among Americans who staff the newspaper. Basically a Tuesday night at Tiger’s house, but ripe stuff for the big screen. The film — which also stars Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, Giovanni Ribisi and Richard Jenkins — finished a while ago but still appears to be in post-production. We hadn’t heard much about it in a while, except last month when Eckhart started speculation going be saying offhandedly, “…they’re trying to get [the film] into Cannes, maybe.”
Well, more clues have emerged that perhaps the film is a bit closer to showing in some form or another at Cannes. According to a press release from Shoot Online (via Hollywood Elsewhere) Nina Saxon of Nina Saxon Design has finished the title sequence and also confirms that producer Graham King will be at Cannes seeking distribution for the film. Maybe he’ll have something on hand to show as well? We hope so. Will we buy the ticket? Of course. We just don’t know if the ride will be worth the wait. – Scott Ludden
Reading this right now. Can't say the protagonist is much to speak of and is a too passive, so I don't see it being a strong vehicle for Depp.
I loathe the way this article is written. "Basically a Tuesday night at Tiger's house." Did Jay Leno write this? What the fuck?
then don't fucking read it you twat.
Tough to get excited about this. As Jeff Daniels' character in "Squid and the Whale" might put it, "The Rum Diary" is "minor Thompson." Actually, most Thompson that isn't "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is minor Thompson. If Depp really wanted to pay tribute to his friend, I feel like we'd all have been better served if he got someone to fill out "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved" and gave us another Raoul Duke joint. Trying to think of who might play Ralph Steadman. All I'm coming up with is a Young Michael Caine.
But then again, you never know. Maybe it'll be awesome. I'll see this shit, I don't give a fuck.
hey graleel spare us your comments. just read the hollywood reporter instead
Robinson's career didn't exactly "fizzle." He stopped directing after JENNIFER 8. That fact shouldn't be a reason to suggest this movie will be shit.
I'm really not sure why people are suggesting that there is something wrong with this film. Especially since all this speculation comes from a single blurb in an Anne Thompson piece which was based on heresay from more speculation (regarding the film not being 'done in time') and Jeffrey Wells deducing from that small microbe of information that something must be wrong with the film.
That's literally it.
Now everyone is arguing that the film must be bad based on a false premise: that filming wrapped over a year ago and it's still "not complete" — FALSE, the film wrapped last June, nine months ago. Nine months is not an outrageous amount of time to spend in post production.
I think people are rushing to judgement here based on too little information. It would be nice if Johnny Depp or producer Graham King were to clarify some of these misconceptions that exist.
Free Cannes Films
http://www.theauteurs.com/stellaartois
To graleel: you "loathe"? Learn to appreciate. I doubt that you could write better.
the writer of the article is an idiot!!