Rum Diary (2011): Dir: Bruce Robinson / Cast: Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Rispoli, Amber Heard, Giovanni Ribisi: Based on Hunter S. Thompson's first book, here we have career seen through the lens of alcohol and narcotics. Johnny Depp play journalist Paul Kemp who awakens in Puerto Rico to start a job with a failing magazine. At first he is reduced to stories regarding overweight tourists at bowling alleys but before long he is addressed to draw favor for a scheme involving the building of a hotel on an island off Puerto Rico. This is Depp's second performance as Thompson after portraying him as Raoul Duke in the underrated Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Here he is drawn out on alcohol where humour plays a part, but he grows suspicious when the poor are degraded and the rich only dominate. Arron Eckhart plays Hal Sanderson, a crooked businessman who seeks Kemp's services. He mistreats the poor but bails Kemp and Sale out when the two land in court after erupting a mob at a restaurant. Michael Rispoli steals his moments as magazine photographer Sale who allows Kemp shelter in his broken down residence. Sale is involved in cock fighting for cash and his push start vehicle becomes one massive sight joke. Giovanni Ribisi also surfaces as a lowlife reporter strutting around dressed in rags. The big disappointment is Amber Heard as Sanderson's girlfriend Chenault who is basically a romantic tease for Kemp, and her behavior renders her less than sympathetic. It is another bizarre observation through the eyes and liquor glass of the great writer himself. Score: 8 ½ / 10

Read the book, do not, I repeat, do not watch this film. This is my first review on IMDb, I'm not a filmy kind of being... my favourite films are Harold and Maud and On Golden Pond. The only thing the book and film have in common is that the book made me want to drink rum for breakfast and the film just drove me to drink! The film should not carry the same name as the book. Positives about the film... Depp's sunglasses, the fiat 500, that's it - two. 'The minimum length for reviews is 10 lines'... goodness without padding a review of this film is impossible. Conclusion: please read the book, do not waste £2.59 on eBay for the DVD (free postage).

Bruce Robinson directed the acclaimed cult movie 'Withnail and I'; Johnny Depp starred in the (also celebrated but, in my opinion, virtually unwatchable) film adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'. The idea that the former should direct the latter in another of Thompson's stories, 'The Rum Diary', is this either inspired or drearily predictable. In fact, it hasn't turned out too badly, a comedy drama with both elements handled reasonably well, although the story lacks real punch, the central character leaves it with a certain sense of moral purpose, but until that point, the plot basically ambles along for incidental entertainment value only. As with 'Fear and Loathing', a brief excerpt from Thompson's own writing is lent to the film to imbue with moral seriousness at the appropriate point (and it's strange that in both movies, moral seriousness is what the reprobate Thompson is quoted to invoke). Interestingly, this was Robinson's first film as a director for 19 years and as a screenwriter for 12; for someone so out of practice, it's not a bad effort.

When I bought a CD of this movie I was so excited,because I thought: "Wow,finally I bought it!". But. There is one thing. It wasn't so good than I expected. That's why I gave 8 points for this movie. It's not the best or one of the best movies I have ever watched, but it wasn't very very bad. "The rum diary" was quite interesting movie and the plot is not bad. Actors were good I think. There were some really funny moments.I'm not Bruce Robinson's fan,but I can say that he is a successful novels' and biographical novels' author. Actually I have never read the book "The rum diary" but I would like to and I think that perhaps novel is better than movie. So it's only my opinion. All people are different and their opinions are different. In conclusion I want to say that actors in the movie are good, director is good too. If You have time,watch this movie. Perhaps it will be the best movie for You,because our opinions are usually different. So I want to wish a nice evening with this movie,I hope You'll like it and You'll give 10 points for "The rum diary".