The Rum Diary

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The Rum Diary

R

Released Oct 28, 2011

1h 59m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

52%

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166 Reviews

36%

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25,000+ Ratings

As the Eisenhower era draws to a close, journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) decides he's had enough of New York and takes a job in Puerto Rico. There, he becomes obsessed with Chenault (Amber Heard), the fiancee of a shady businessman named Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart), who wants to turn the pristine island into a capitalist's paradise. Recruited by Sanderson to write an article that praises an unsavory deal, Paul must decide if he will use his talents to help Sanderson, or bring him down.

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Critics Consensus

It's colorful and amiable enough, and Depp's heart is clearly in the right place, but The Rum Diary fails to add sufficient focus to its rambling source material.

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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

It's sort of chaotic. It swings around all over the place but it's nicely done. It's nicely acted and Johnny Depp's terrific.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 20, 2012

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

The film looks good and Robinson gives his actors lines they can spit out with some relish.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 11, 2011

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Depp, that purring Persian cat of an actor, never looks drunk or scared or angry in any way, and the final defiant journalistic call to arms against the "bastards" is just hot air.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 10, 2011

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Robinson’s film proceeds on conventional terms and doesn’t pay off in conventional ways, and it doesn’t challenge us in the way Thompson’s writing does either.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 7, 2023

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The debacles they wade through are often padded with drawn out escapades that end in depressing reality over riotous antics.

Rated: 4/10

Nov 30, 2020

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Fans of Hunter S. Thompson or, for that matter, most anyone in this film, are likely to find quite a bit to enjoy here.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 21, 2020

Full Review

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Stephen C

Unfunny in 1 hour and 59 minutes!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $13,100,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

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edwin n

I personally love the movie, there is something about the chaos that makes the movie good. I could see why people don't like it though it is definitely an acquired taste.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

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Tom S

Bought on Blu-Ray for cheap & expected a bad movie due to reviews. Excellent old school quality & not a hint of Hollywood tackiness. Some dialogue was jaw dropping & expect these quotes came from the book.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/25/24

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Georgan G

Good acting and script. Sadly, the main character was an addict. Despite being a talented writer, the movie focuses on the addiction. I imagine the book is much better, but am not interested in Hunter Thompson.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Audience Member

Most definitely weird in the same way as Fear and Loathing, but this is funnier

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

Terrible movie. Slow, not great acting, no interest drawn

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/12/22

Full Review

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Bruce Robinson

Director

Johnny Depp

Paul Kemp

Aaron Eckhart

Sanderson

Michael Rispoli

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Amber Heard

Chenault

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Synopsis

As the Eisenhower era draws to a close, journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) decides he's had enough of New York and takes a job in Puerto Rico. There, he becomes obsessed with Chenault (Amber Heard), the fiancee of a shady businessman named Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart), who wants to turn the pristine island into a capitalist's paradise. Recruited by Sanderson to write an article that praises an unsavory deal, Paul must decide if he will use his talents to help Sanderson, or bring him down.

Director: Bruce Robinson
Producer: Johnny Depp, Christi Dembrowski, Anthony Rhulen, Robert Kravis, Graham King, Tim Headington
Screenwriter: Bruce Robinson
Distributor: FilmDistrict
Production Co: GK Films, E1 Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Brief Drug Use|Sexuality)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 28, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.1M
Runtime: 1h 59m

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