The Rum Diary

Name: The Rum Diary
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Released: October 28, 2011
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 56

2011

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 37 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 129 Ratings

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6.3

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6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 129 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

FilmDistrict | Release Date: October 28, 2011 | R

Summary: Based on the early novel by Hunter S. Thompson, "The Rum Diary" tells the increasingly unhinged story of itinerant journalists Paul Kemp. Tiring of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, Kemp travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local newspaper, "The San JuanBased on the early novel by Hunter S. Thompson, "The Rum Diary" tells the increasingly unhinged story of itinerant journalists Paul Kemp. Tiring of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, Kemp travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local newspaper, "The San Juan Star," run by downtrodden editor Lotterman. Adopting the rum-soaked life of the island, Paul soon becomes obsessed with Chenault, the wildly attractive Connecticut-born fiancee of Sanderson, a businessman involved in shady property development deals, is on of a growing number of American entrepreneurs who are determined to convert Puerto Rico into a capitalist paradise in service of the wealthy. When Kemp is recruited by Sanderson to write favorably about his latest unsavory scheme, the journalist is presented with a choice: to use his words for the corrupt businessmen's financial benefit, or use them to take the bastards down. (FilmDistrict)… Expand

Director: Bruce Robinson

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 110 min

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Critic Reviews

Steve Persall

Oct 26, 2011

Thompson's fans will embrace its twisted verbal dexterity, romantically imagining the author feverishly pulling strings from the beyond. Read full review

Connie Ogle

Oct 27, 2011

A big, rambling, entertaining love letter to the late Hunter S. Thompson. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Oct 26, 2011

You also get drinking. Lots and lots of drinking. By the time the movie is half over, you'll feel hungover. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Oct 26, 2011

We have the feeling that Kemp/Thompson saw much of life through the bottom of a dirty glass and did not experience it with any precision. The film duplicates this sensation, not with much success. Read full review

Betsy Sharkey

Oct 27, 2011

In every move, Depp makes you believe this was a passion project for the actor, one he dedicates to Thompson. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Oct 27, 2011

That the movie is leisurely and unconventional is all part of its charm, too - until it isn't anymore. The movie is a tale of corruption, but then it's not. It's a love story, but no, not quite. Later, it flirts with becoming a great journalism tale, or at least a whimsical journalism tale, but that vein leads nowhere, too. Nor is it much of anything else. Read full review

David Edelstein

Oct 31, 2011

The Rum Diary has no mighty gonzo wind. Even with a push from its Thompson-worshipping star, Johnny Depp, it leaves our freak flag limp. Read full review

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User Reviews

rdannar

Oct 30, 2011

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

misterdog

Oct 16, 2012

Original and funny movie, with good acting all round. Set on the exotic island of puerto rico our protagonist (Depp) himself is already colourful to begin with; and as to be expected during his adventures there, is surrounded by all sorts of people of the same league.

The story builds upOriginal and funny movie, with good acting all round. Set on the exotic island of puerto rico our protagonist (Depp) himself is already colourful to begin with; and as to be expected during his adventures there, is surrounded by all sorts of people of the same league.

The story builds up slowly but never gets boring, it's an intelligent way of storytelling and a fresh breeze of air in a movie market, mainly dominated by predictable hollywood action movies.
It reminds me a little of the recent Woody Allen movies in that it contains a original plot, good acting and a a slow but steady storyline mixed with lot's of funny moments.… Expand