Johnny Depp Travels To Puerto Rico in 'The Rum Diary'

Hunter S. Thompson's novels were fueled by his incessant use of psychoactive substances and his approach to the journalistic writing style has a life of its own. "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was the first of his novels to be made into a film and has since been a cult classic for many, now they've made a film adaptation based on the earlier autobiographical novel "The Rum Diary."

Johnny Depp once again takes the lead, this time as the journalist Paul Kemp. Kemp has been given word of a new job at The San Juan Star.

Kemp immerses himself in the culture, which means drinking rum all day, gets into trouble with the locals and dabbles with mind-altering hallucinogenic substances. Nothing new for an avid Hunter Thompson fan, of course.

Kemp, even when drunk and disorderly, still managers to meet high rolling corrupt businessman Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart) who plans to develop unspoiled land into a luxury resort. Sanderson hopes that Kemp would write a favorable review on his development plans which Kemp refuses to do.

But when Kemp find himself in a bit of a mess Sanderson was there to help him. After that, Kemp feels the need to help Sanderson in his schemes but in the process falls in love with Sanderson's lovely wife Chenault (Amber Heard).

The film also stars Giovanni Ribisi as he channels his inner Gonzo as Moburg the derelict correspondent also working for The San Juan Star and Richard Jenkins as the newspaper editor who hired Kemp. With the addition of Michael Rispoli in the cast, it does seem like they have a solid ensemble.

One of the highlights of the movie is that Depp does not play Kemp as a rehash of Raoul Duke, the role he played for Terry Gilliams "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." Depp's approach to Kemp was smooth yet down and dirty, very calm and comfortable dressed in his sports jacket painting the town red and getting into bar brawls.

Some people may say that "The Rum Diary" may not be as thrilling and as noteworthy as "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," but if you are a fan of Thompson's work then surely you'd love director Bruce Robinson's take on the novel.