A Labor of Love, Johnny Depp's Homage to Offbeat Journalist and sometime Novelist Hunter S. Thompson is Affectionate, Warm, and at the Same Time Desperate.

The Novel was Written Early in Thompson's Career when He first Discovered Alcohol and the need for Journalistic Integrity (that defined the writer's output).

Those Expecting the Hallucinatory Visuals and Bombastic, Outrage of Terry Gilliam's and Johnny Depp's take on the Author's most Popular Work, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"(1998) will most Likely be Disappointed. Critics and Moviegoers Reflected this resulting in Poor Box Office and Scathing Reviews.

The Strength of the Movie are the Words, the Dialog that is filled with Insights and Rhetorical Rage. Almost Every Scene is Riddled with Entertaining Oratorical Observations.

The Look of the Movie can't be Faulted as the Beauty of the Island is Contrasted with the Dehumanizing Poverty.

The Cast is Outstanding with Bravura Performances from Michael Siboli, Giovanni Ribisi, and Richard Jenkins. Amber Heard is the Eye Candy. Aaron Eckhart is the Capitalist Villain, a Role that is Not Very Demanding.

Overall, it is an Offbeat Movie that does not have Wide Appeal. Thompson Himself Struggled for Wide Appeal, while Maintaining His Integrity and Never quite got there, at least Not Until very Late in Life, as He Gained Respect and Admiration as a Cult Figure.

The Wordsmith was Given High Tribute by Depp as He Strove to get the Unpublished Novel in Print and the Movie Made.

It's an Odd Film that most likely will Gain in Reputation in the Coming Years when Expectations aren't so High and Knee-Jerk concerning the Long Awaited Novel and Movie.

I watched this movie many years ago, and it sort of went unnoticed, as there were other excellent movies at that time.

Latest trial betweeen JD and AH, exposed amazing character of Johnny Depp in light of clear sociopatic and manipulative behaviour of AH. So I decided to rewatch this movie that started it all.

To my surprise, it was much better than I remembered. Johnny was excellent in it. I missed JD in great movies and can honestly say that I have a newfound appreciation for his talent and character.

I will go and supprt ANY movie starring Depp, as this guy just brings quality and talent to whatever he does. He deserves a second chance in spotlight.

An alcoholic with ethics - who would have thought? That would be Johnny Depp in his portrayal of journalist Kemp, landing a gig at the San Juan Star in Puerto Rico. He doesn't know it yet, but he's being recruited to write flattering stories for conniving developers who want to change the pristine landscape of an unnamed nearby island into a tourist trap with a magnificent hotel. Teaming with an equally sobriety-free photographer (Michael Rispoli),the pair form an unusual alliance with yet another outcast from society named Moburg. I don't think I've seen Giovanni Ribisi in a role I haven't liked, and he plays up the degenerate aspect of his character to the hilt. What it all leads to is a take down of Hal Sanderson's (Aaron Eckhart) latest scheme for scoring millions, while losing his fiancee Chenault (Amber Heard) to the often bewildered Kemp. I got a kick out of the scene with the hallucinatory eye drops, though I thought more could have been done with it. The island cock-fights looked real enough, but the FAQ page for the film here on IMDb explains how it was done to avoid the PETA folks' wrath. As for the sequin studded tortoise at Sanderson's - it could have been diamonds or zirconium, depending on how much rum you've consumed.