The Rum Diary (2011)
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50% of critics liked it
(159 reviews) -
37% of users liked it
(42,115 ratings)
Based on the debut novel by Hunter S. Thompson. Tiring of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local newspaper, run by downtrodden editor Lotterman (Richard… More Based on the debut novel by Hunter S. Thompson. Tiring of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local newspaper, run by downtrodden editor Lotterman (Richard Jenkins). Adopting the rum-soaked life of the island, Paul soon becomes obsessed with Chenault (Amber Heard), the wildly attractive Connecticut-born fiancée of Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart). Sanderson is one 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. -- (C) FilmDistrict
- Directed By
- Bruce Robinson
- Written By
- Bruce Robinson, Hunter S. Thompson
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Oct 28, 2011 Wide
- Studio
- The Film District
Critic Reviews
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Cath Clarke, Time Out
It's funny as hell in places and touchingly warm.
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Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Writer/director Robinson is anything but disciplined... and he's more inclined to just turn the camera on and let Depp do his thing. Which Depp does very well, but as talented and watchable as he is, even he can't completely save the picture.
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David Edelstein, New York Magazine
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.
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Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
Maybe Depp just doesn't want to upstage his hero.
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Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
The supporting cast of journalistic riffraff is uniformly excellent.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Johnny Depp
as Paul Kemp
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Aaron Eckhart
as Sanderson
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Michael Rispoli
as Sala
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Amber Heard
as Chenault
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Richard Jenkins
as Lotterman
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Giovanni Ribisi
as Moburg
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Amaury Nolasco
as Segurra
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Marshall Bell
as Donovan
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Bill Smitrovich
as Mr. Zimburger
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Julian Holloway
as Wolsley
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Bruno Irizarry
as Lazar
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Enzo Cilenti
as Digby
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Aaron Lustig
as Monk
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Tisuby González
as Rosy
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Natalia Rivera
as Chenault's Friend
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Karen Austin
as Mrs. Zimburger
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Julio Ramos
as Intruder
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Rafa Alvarez
as Taxi Driver
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Sasha Merced
as Café Girl
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Eduardo Cortés
as Café Patron
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Karimah Westbrook
as Papa Nebo
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Guillermo Valedón
as Xanadu Maître d'
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William R. Charlton
as Hotel Waiter
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Javier Grajeda
as Judge
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Miguel Angel Reyes
as El Monstruo's Trainer
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Terrance Harlness
as Man in Hat
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Andy Umberger
as Mr. Green
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Armando Perez Mantaras
as Policeman
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Bill Chott
as Bowling Champ
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Gavin Houston
as Sailor
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Lisa Robins
as Bowling Champ's wife
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Noel Delgado
as Morell
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Jaime "Jimmy" Navarro
as Hubert
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Carlos Alberto López
as Union Leader
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Jimmy Ortega
as Cop on Fire
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José Coriano
as Drunk
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Angel Nolasco
as Segurra's Daddy
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Javier Ortiz-Cortés
as Union Leader 2
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Jorge Antares
as Union Leader 3
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Aurelio Lima
as Intruder Sidekick 1
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Luis Gonzaga
as Intruder Sidekick 2
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Randall Jacobs
as Hound Dog Taylor
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Edgar Lebrón Landrau
as Bouncer
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Eric Colón
as Cock Fight Announcer
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Daniel Kalal
as Party Guest








