THE RUM DIARY (15)

JOHNNY Depp, a close friend of iconic American writer Hunter S Thompson, takes another swig from his pal’s literary musings in this adaptation of his 1998 novel.

Written for the screen and directed by Bruce Robinson (Withnail & I), The Rum Diary is clearly a labour of love for Depp, who previously starred in the trippy film version of Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas and paid for Thompson’s 2005 funeral.

While the actor’s motives are very touching, this comical road trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, during the Eisenhower era is a bore.

Almost nothing happens in two hours and when the plot finally kicks into gear and the lead character is poised to expose a shady property deal, that sub-plot also fizzles out.

Depp is a gifted comic actor and the film’s best moments are a testament to his ability to wring laughs out of thin air with a single glance or grimace such as when a hotel porter shows him how to open the mini-bar.

“I was looking for some nuts,” he smiles with blood-shot eyes. “I tend to avoid alcohol... when I can.”

The booze flows freely as journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) heads to Puerto Rico to take up a position on The San Juan Star run by long-suffering editor Lotterman (Richard Jenkins).

Photographer Sala (Michael Rispoli) becomes Paul’s right-hand man as the newcomer enjoys rum-soaked island life and forges an alliance with local businessman Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart), who is plotting to transform the island into a capitalist paradise.

Having hired Paul to write the promotional material, Sanderson and his American investors insist that the journalist signs a non-disclosure agreement.

However, Paul is far more interested in Sanderson’s trophy fiancée Chenault (Amber Heard).

Sala introduces Paul to drug and alcohol-fuelled journalist Moberg (Giovanni Ribisi), who doses them both up with a powerful hallucinogen.

“Your tongue is like an accusatory giblet!” screams Paul as Sala’s tongue appears to slither out of his mouth.

The terrifying vision spurs Paul to write a piece exposing Sanderson’s plans.

“I will speak for my readers and it will be a voice of ink and rage,” declares Paul. But the corrupt businessman has powerful allies.

The Rum Diary is a blur of strange and sometimes amusing vignettes.

Depp holds the folly together with his theatrics but there is little else to recommend Robinson’s film.

Supporting performances add colour but no emotional depth, while Heard looks stunning in close-up, frequently without her clothes.

Like Depp, fans of Thompson’s work will revel in his vision of the era.

For the rest of us, it’s a cinematic hangover that compels us to promise to never drink from Thompson’s ink well ever again.

STAR RATING: **

THE AWAKENING (15)

THE best ghost stories often have a gimmick or sting in the tail that sends a chill down the spine.

The Awakening is a haunted house story set in the aftermath of the First World War, which provides all of the requisite bumps in the night but doesn’t quite get under our skin.

First-time feature director Nick Murphy, who co-wrote the script with Stephen Volk, generates a modicum of tension.

However, the script’s pacing is pedestrian and the revelations of the final 10 minutes strain credibility.

Renowned author Florence Cathcart (Rebecca Hall) leads the crusade against bogus psychics and mediums.

She is approached by history teacher Robert Mallory (Dominic West), who fears the corridors of his school are haunted.

Florence sets up her usual array of cameras and scientific experiments to determine if there is any genuine psychic activity.

In the course of her investigation, Florence experiences disturbing visions and she begins to wonder if all the supernatural mumbo jumbo might actually continue a germ of truth.

STAR RATING: **