The Rum Diary

FilmDistrict | Release Date: October 28, 2011

6.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 129 Ratings

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asthobaskoroNov 12, 2011

The movie itself should be great. The premise, message - will punch you in the head. But if you didn't understand anything from this movie, there's nothing wrong with you, yes, the problem is the movie. But anyway Ribisi performance and theThe movie itself should be great. The premise, message - will punch you in the head. But if you didn't understand anything from this movie, there's nothing wrong with you, yes, the problem is the movie. But anyway Ribisi performance and the dialogue are clever.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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avatar16Dec 1, 2011

Rhum Express est loin d'Ãªtre aussi dÃ©jantÃ© de ce que nous laissait prÃ©voir la bande-annonce. Il ne l'est carrÃ©ment pas! Avec un scÃ©nario sans queue niRhum Express est loin d'Ãªtre aussi dÃ©jantÃ© de ce que nous laissait prÃ©voir la bande-annonce. Il ne l'est carrÃ©ment pas! Avec un scÃ©nario sans queue ni tÃªte, majoritairement chiant Ã cause d'un manque flagrant d'ambiance (musicale du moins : on est quand mÃªme Ã Porto Rico, la fiesta et l'alcool, que diable!!!) et de moments d'anthologie. De plus, les passages de "trip" passent trÃ¨s mal (la langue qui s'allonge, des bouteilles en guise de quilles au bowling...) car trop expÃ©diÃ©s et surtout inintÃ©ressants. Au final, que pouvons-nous retenir de Rhum Express? Quand mÃªme deux choses : l'interprÃ©tation des acteurs (Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart et surtout Giovanni Ribisi, qui se lÃ¢che comme rarement) qui tente de faire remonter le film (sans succÃ¨s, malheureusement), ainsi que quelques passages qui font sourire, voire mÃªme vraiment rire pour certains (des jeux de mots, la sÃ©quence de Johnny Depp conduisant sur les genoux de Michael Rispoli). Mais bon, Rhum Express n'est vraiment pas la cuite que l'ont aurait voulu prendre...… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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ChristopheOct 29, 2011

Horribly shot, boring, actionless, faaar too long, unstable pictures (where is your camera stabilizer???), even Mr Dep is not good and has a very blund caracter. What a drag. Don't go!!!!!

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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ship69Nov 20, 2011

Dont bother with this movie. Apparently it is based on a true story... however although it has great some good moments, in the end it doesnt really work. Johnny Depp is unconvincing as a serious actor.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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raciocinioOct 21, 2015

...........................................................................................................................................Why Depp your movies are totally boring and bad

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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TTW107Jun 4, 2012

I've never been more disappointed by a movie. I saw this movie right when it came on dvd. I thought it was okay. I am a huge fan of Hunter S. Thompson so I recently picked up the book. The book is nothing short of a masterpiece. Right after II've never been more disappointed by a movie. I saw this movie right when it came on dvd. I thought it was okay. I am a huge fan of Hunter S. Thompson so I recently picked up the book. The book is nothing short of a masterpiece. Right after I finished the book I watched the movie to compare while the book was fresh in my mind. It's as if whoever made this wanted to ruin the book. They took out a WHOLE character in the movie, Yeamon. Chenault isn't with Sanderson in the book, she is with Yeamon. Who the hell changes the book that much. Not too mention all the other parts they left out and the bullsh*t parts they added such as the eyedrop drug and the chicken fights. This is an absurd travesty of The Rum Diary and Hunter S. Thompson is probably turning in his grave because of it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Sheldonc1981Sep 29, 2012

I love Johnny Depp, but this is one of the worst movies I have ever seen him do. It is extremely hard to follow, I dozed off three times, and the rest of the time I couldn't understand what they were saying. This is truly a disgrace to Mr.I love Johnny Depp, but this is one of the worst movies I have ever seen him do. It is extremely hard to follow, I dozed off three times, and the rest of the time I couldn't understand what they were saying. This is truly a disgrace to Mr. Depp's career. Just terrible.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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FilipeNetoMay 23, 2020

This is one of those cases where they seem to have decided to make a film without material to fully justify it. Very inspired by the short passage through Puerto Rico by the journalist Hunter S. Thompson, who would become important decadesThis is one of those cases where they seem to have decided to make a film without material to fully justify it. Very inspired by the short passage through Puerto Rico by the journalist Hunter S. Thompson, who would become important decades later when he founded a new way of making journalism, it starred Johnny Depp, who was a personal friend of Thompson.

Well, let's start by analysing the cast. Depp is excellent. Even those who don't like the eccentric style of his characters have to acknowledge his commitment and professionalism. He is an excellent professional who is fully committed to this film. This is noticeable. Michael Rispoli is also good and counteracts very well with Depp, especially in the comic scenes. Aaron Eckhart was a good addition and did a pretty decent job. The remaining cast is not so good: Richard Jenkins and Giovanni Ribisi seemed frankly underused and Amber Heard only stands out because she is pretty enough with the minimum of clothes.

But the biggest problem with this film is the lack of a script: Paul Kemp is an American journalist who decides to go to Puerto Rico, where rum is the most consumed drink. He already had alcohol problems and goes into a state of eternal drunkenness, like some other journalists from his almost bankrupt newspaper. But his reputation catches the eye of Sanderson, a businessman who needs to be talked about but is involved in something illegal. At the same time, Kemp is very attracted to Chenault, Sanderson's hot girlfriend. In short, the film has a structure and good premises, but does not know how to develop them. It takes a long time to get to Kemp's involvement with Sanderson, and then it doesn't know how to give a logical conclusion to the plot. We never really understand what happens next and the ending is abrupt and... well, bad!

Technically, the film is good at creating an environment. It was able to capture the relaxed and holiday spirit that Westerners associate with Caribbean, but it also gives an interesting idea of what it is like to live there, the difficulties, the poverty, the improvisational spirit of those who live there, and how often they feel that they're exploited by the "gringos". That raises a lot of questions, as to whether Puerto Ricans feel as American as the Mainland natives. Cinematography was able to enjoy the best of the Caribbean landscapes, with white sand beaches, calm and very blue seas, pleasant bars... the sets and costumes help with the old houses, cars that have had many owners and few or no clothes.

Good scenery, incredible landscapes and an interesting approach to the Caribbean way of life are redeeming qualities in this film, which combines with a good cast and a very good Depp, perfect for his role... but these qualities do not help to forget the bad script and how poor the story was developed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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