The Rum Diary

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The Rum Diary

R

2011

1h 59m

Comedy

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

165 Reviews

36%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

As the Eisenhower era draws to a close, journalist Paul Kemp decides he's had enough of New York and takes a job in Puerto Rico. There, he becomes obsessed with Chenault, the fiancée of a shady businessman named Sanderson, 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)

Mar 20, 2012

3.5/5

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.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Nov 11, 2011

3/5

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

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Nov 10, 2011

2/5

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.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Mar 7, 2023

2/4

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.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 30, 2020

4/10

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

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 21, 2020

3.0/4.0

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

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Robert P

@Superbad 4 days ago

The Rum Diary is a *2* star Movie!

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Elias K

@RT72409358 May 27, 2026

Quintessential "decent" movie. Entertaining, not entirely artistic or outrageously funny. Just "pretty good" with the slight uptick in quality, due to its' source material, which adds interest

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 27, 2025

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

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edwin n

@Emmitt2215 May 30, 2025

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.

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Tom S

@RT47100268 Apr 25, 2024

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.

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Georgan G

@RT98616417 Feb 12, 2023

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.

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Bruce Robinson

Director

Johnny Depp

Paul Kemp

Aaron Eckhart

Sanderson

Michael Rispoli

Sala

Amber Heard

Chenault

Richard Jenkins

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Synopsis

As the Eisenhower era draws to a close, journalist Paul Kemp decides he's had enough of New York and takes a job in Puerto Rico. There, he becomes obsessed with Chenault, the fiancée of a shady businessman named Sanderson, 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, Romance
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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