The Rum Diary
The Rum Diary Image
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Metascore
56 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 37 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • 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 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

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 37
  3. Negative: 1 out of 37
  1. Tampa Bay Times
    Reviewed by: Steve Persall
    Oct 26, 2011
    83
    Thompson's fans will embrace its twisted verbal dexterity, romantically imagining the author feverishly pulling strings from the beyond.
  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Philip Wilding
    Nov 7, 2011
    80
    A fitting tribute to Hunter and the demise of the American Dream, but first and foremost a thrilling and funny snapshot of a country on its knees and a writer finding his feet.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    Oct 28, 2011
    60
    Luckily, the cast is comfortable going with the flow. Ribisi is amusingly corrosive, while Jenkins and Rispoli are sweaty, cigar-chomping movie-journalist archetypes.
  4. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    Oct 31, 2011
    30
    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.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 26
  3. Negative: 6 out of 26
  1. soulprovider12
    10
    superb film. thats all that needs to be said. like fresh air to parched lungs. the film does everything it sets out to do! don't be put off by delusional reviewers who have become so blinded by the hollywood blockbuster. the film provides a welcome change to the film industry that i believe everyone should be a part of… Expand
  2. bottafff
    8
    "The Rum Diary" I believe is ten times better the movie than critics will admit. Great acting by Johnny Depp in portraying Hunter S Thompson, who is such an iconic figure. Wonderful acting, cinematography, and screen writing. However, the only thing that doesn't make sense is that Johnny Depp is 48 and Thompson was 23 in 1960.… Expand
  3. Sir_Brandon
    7
    Set in 1960, The Rum Diary takes us back to a time when Dr. Hunter S. Thompson wasnâ
  4. Sheldonc1981
    3
    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

See all 26 User Reviews

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