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The Rum Diary

Play trailer Poster for The Rum Diary R 2011 1h 59m Comedy Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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52% Tomatometer 166 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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The Rum Diary

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 27, 2025 Unfunny in 1 hour and 59 minutes!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $13,100,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more 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. See more 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. See more 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. See more Dave C @RT09838700 Dec 17, 2022 Most definitely weird in the same way as Fear and Loathing, but this is funnier See more Read all reviews
The Rum Diary

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Cast & Crew

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Bruce Robinson

Director

Johnny Depp

Paul Kemp

Aaron Eckhart

Sanderson

Michael Rispoli

Sala

Amber Heard

Chenault

Richard Jenkins

Lotterman

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The Rum Diary

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Movie Info

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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