The Rum Diary

Story: Paul Kemp is a journalist without a mission who moves from New York to work for a major newspaper in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It's only when he deals with the Peurto Ricans and the American expats there does he find a real purpose -- not just to write on, but a mission for life...

Movie Review: Johnny Depp ostensibly made this film for his journalist friend Hunter S Thompson who wrote the Rum Diary, a novel, in the 1960s but could get it published only in 1998. More importantly, he committed suicide before the film could see the light of day. He essays the role of Paul Kemp, a journalist who applies for a job in the San Juan Star in Puerto Rico and manages to get it because he is the only applicant.

Paul begins like any disinterested expat journo who is more interested in savouring the delights of the exotic Caribbean. He makes friends with the photographer who runs a side business fighting cocks and ex-journalist Michael Rispoli who has given himself up to a degenerated life of booze and drugs. Depp too swings along the Jack Sparrow way until he meets land developer Aaron Eckhart and his mistress, Amber Heard. Eckhart uses his journalistic skills to write positive stories on his land schemes, but it doesn't take long before Depp realises the exact motives of the scheming blackguard. Time for the boozing bohemian to change into a man with a mission and become the voice of the common man...a voice in red ink and rage.

The film is rich in atmospherics and captures the 1950's Puerto Rico beautifully. The screenplay is however a bit muddled and confusing here and there. But Depp is first rate and not to miss out is Richard Jenkins as the editor-in-chief who breathes the editorial policy: that of the American dream. A sure scene stealer after Depp. Finally, Eckhart is his usual dependable self with Amber Heard in a smouldering avatar.