Paul Kemp, protagonist of 2011 film Rum Diary, is probably the most personal role in the career of Johnny Depp. The film actually owes its existence to Depp's enthusiasm and his friendship with Hunter S. Thompson, famous writer and 1960 counterculture icon, whom he played in 1997 adaptation of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. During the production Depp found manuscript of Thompson's early unpublished novel, convinced Thompson to publish it and spent almost decade and a half attempting to adapt it to big screen. The film, directed by British director Bruce Robinson, begins in 1960 Puerto Rico where Paul Kemp comes to work in local newspaper. There he indulges in heavy drinking, meets interesting set of characters, including businessman Hal Sanderson (played by Aaron Eckhart) who wants Kemp's help in promoting some shady real estate deals; Kemp is, on the other hand, more interested in Sanderson's fiancée Chenault (played by Amber Heard). Rum Diary for the most part look good, with convincing recreation of Puerto Rico during tourism boom, while Heard matches Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot and other screen godesses of that time. Unfortunately, the music soundtrack is terribly anachronistic, while Robinson simply can't turn Thompson's prose into coherent story. Finally, there is also an issue of middle-aged Depp who was tragically too late to play his good friend in youthful years.
RATING: 3/10
