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The Rum Diary
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Metascore
56 out of 100

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

User Score
6.0 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 60 Ratings

Your Score
10 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. 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.
  3. 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

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 4 out of 20
  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
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. marclawrence66
    5
    Trailer was edited very sneakily. Made to look something it is not. Very disappointing film & makes Depp look a weaker actor than he is. Cant make up its mind if its a comedy or something else. If a biopic, I think it misses the mark by some way. A few good scenes, but never really takes off & aside from the back drop of Puerto Rico to add a sense of glamour, it sadly left this viewer somewhat underwhelmed.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Christophe
    1
    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!!!!!… Expand
    • 0 of 3 users said yes

See all 20 User Reviews

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