Why We Should Care About Johnny Depp's Passion Project, "The Rum Diary"
I've noticed, after reading some of the reviews for the upcoming film, The Rum Diary, that it is repeatedly called Johnny Depp's "passion project," as if this word "passion" for a creative project is a bad thing. With an eye roll and a humored sigh, the critics expound, "Oh, that's just Johnny's passion project, so let's humor him and see how it does." Well, I say, what the heck is wrong with passion? Is passion something to be scoffed at, ignored, shamed? Oh, good lord, Johnny Depp, run and hide, man, you've made something that you care about! Have you no shame?
Good grief, what have we become? Passionless idiots without any deep emotions for anything? Do not cry in public. Do not laugh too loudly. Do not hold your lover's hand. Don't get angry at injustice! Feel nothing, because feeling is weak. Weak, they say! Weakness! Never let your guard down, and to be on the safe side (which is much better, you cowards), it is easier to feel nothing! Thirst for life? There is no such thing!
Have we really become this apathetic (and pathetic)? This listless and dead? Lifeless clay without heart.
It fascinates me that passion for a creative project should ever be deemed silly. The last time I checked, passion was a key ingredient for art (but, sadly, art is nearly in the coffin too). Johnny Depp apparently really, really, really loved his friend Hunter S. Thompson, and he made this movie as much a tribute to that friendship, as he did an honest film. That should not be taken lightly, regardless of your opinion of Depp, Thompson, or the movie itself. It should be applauded in a world depraved of emotion.
Passion has become a foreigner in our own land. We put up borders, hold up our hands, and laugh, "Go away! We need none of that garbage here." But, we need it. Oh, good God, we need it. Passion IS life. The universe was not lackadaisical in its creation. It was passionate. It wept, it laughed, it loved ... deeply. As we should. Feel something!
Passion projects? Those are the only ones I want to hear about.
Published by Michelle Cushing
Michelle Cushing is a novelist with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism. She is the author of three books, "Rosabelle, believe," "Faith Orion's Field," and "From a Vine," all published through Mulberry Bark Pu... View profile
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1 Comments
Post a CommentOh my gosh, she said her comments with passion!!!! Way to go!!!!!
Without passion in this life we are nothing but existing.