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 124 Ratings

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6.3

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6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 124 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 4 users found this helpful31

GOUGH

Oct 28, 2011

Having read the book years ago, and not expecting much, I was pleasantly surprised and ultimately delighted with this honest, real, touching, homage to the memory of the man, whose work and presence on this earth, has meant so much, to so many people. The film is light but heavy too. If youHaving read the book years ago, and not expecting much, I was pleasantly surprised and ultimately delighted with this honest, real, touching, homage to the memory of the man, whose work and presence on this earth, has meant so much, to so many people. The film is light but heavy too. If you just sit back and let it, its charm should engage. It's not for everyone, there can be difficulty, but life's that way, so what? Deal with it. Or maybe not. I can certainly say, I enjoyed it, and will see it again, very soon.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TomGlos

Feb 9, 2012

Id say (if I was going to that... compare that Fear and Loathing was a better adaptation) but as ever [JD], a fitting tribute to one of the 20th Centuries greatest writers.

Critics? Remember Gonzo - as in... Its not about the destination - it's about the journey // its not about what youId say (if I was going to that... compare that Fear and Loathing was a better adaptation) but as ever [JD], a fitting tribute to one of the 20th Centuries greatest writers.

Critics?
Remember Gonzo - as in... Its not about the destination - it's about the journey // its not about what you DO, it's about HOW it's done...… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

DMB4SheZ

Nov 10, 2011

I guarantee you will laugh at this movie, I can't guarantee you will walk out satisfied. Great acting jobs all around by everyone involved. My problem was that the story didn't go anywhere. There is so much built up early in the movie that doesn't matter at the end. Then there are issuesI guarantee you will laugh at this movie, I can't guarantee you will walk out satisfied. Great acting jobs all around by everyone involved. My problem was that the story didn't go anywhere. There is so much built up early in the movie that doesn't matter at the end. Then there are issues you want to see evolve that are tossed aside or resolved off screen. I was just left with a "Meh..." feeling when I walked out of the theater.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

marclawrence66

Mar 18, 2012

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 offTrailer 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 found this helpful00

gfny

Oct 28, 2011

A two hour movie sprinkled with comedy, lots of dialogue, little action. While the movie is mildly entertaining the plot leaves you wondering what the hell was that. There are also several scenes of animal cruelty in the film and because of that I am sorry I had to witness it. I do notA two hour movie sprinkled with comedy, lots of dialogue, little action. While the movie is mildly entertaining the plot leaves you wondering what the hell was that. There are also several scenes of animal cruelty in the film and because of that I am sorry I had to witness it. I do not recommend this film. I should have seen the new Justin Timerlake film TIME instead.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

raciocinio

Oct 21, 2015

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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