Redundant and unnecessary.

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

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

Haven't seen this movie for a while but pulled out my DVD and watched it tonight. What a great film. It is what I like - a film based on story and character, not special effects. It's a crazy drunk fueled journey with a lot of crazy alcohol fueled people. What a story. It's got a protagonist, an sultry blond, crazy support characters, and a real plot and a story in a cool setting. Johnny Depp rules as a quasi alcoholic reporter who hangs out with another crazy alcoholic (Michael Rispoli) and the notorious Moberg. (Giovanni Ribisi). It's fun, it's crazy. You can't make this stuff up. The supporting cast is beautiful all around including Richard Jenkins as the over the top editor (Lotterman). Throw in a bunch of crazy Puerto Ricans and you've got a lot of great character. Some of the scenes are absolutely hilarious. "What are you doing? "I just realized how much I like you?" "What" "What am I doing? Are you kidding? There's something wrong with the axle.!" Great film. Laughed my head off for most of it. Johnny Depp really brings this character to life supported by a really class group of supporting actors. Five stars in my book!!!!!

(62%) A solidly made, funny (sometimes very), yet still somewhat rambling, and beneath the surface it's a little hollow. Johnny Depp is fairly well cast in the lead, and uses both his good acting ability and comic timing in equal measure, and with the strong support from the likes of Aaron Eckhart, Richard Jenkins, the greatly underrated Giovanni Ribisi, and an oddly too beautiful Amber Heard all helping to make this a stronger film than the quite limited material has to offer. Despite this being a good twenty minutes or so over-long, it never really fails to either entertain or amuse. Overall a worthy watch, but nothing that really needs to be seen.

10 years Prior to this Johnny Depp was one of my favourite actors. Then came the character of Captain Jack Sparrow, and with it came endless sequels every couple of years, and (aside from a few roles like "Finding Neverland" and "Sweeney Todd") uninspired performances in average movies (The Tourist) Now he probably doesn't even rank in my Top 10. Based on the novel of the same name by Hunter S. Thompson, I was hoping this would be a return to form. "The Rum Diary" started off well with Dean Martin crooning "Volare" over the opening credits. But whilst not quite a return to form, it has some good moments and Depp's heart is clearly in the right place, in what is clearly a passionate project for him, based on his close friends work. But I think Hollywood got in the way of him making a great movie. Michael Rispoli, Aaron Eckhart, Giovanni Ribsi, Amber Heard and all give good solid support to Depp, but my main problem comes from the direction, which is uninspiring despite great source material.