The Rum Diary | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

51% Tomatometer 169 Reviews 36% Popcornmeter 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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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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The Rum Diary | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Roger Moore Tribune News Service Depp and writer-director Bruce Robinson ("Withnail & I") pack the script with pithy Hunter-isms, hurling many of Thompson's euphonious locutions at us right from the opening scene. Rated: 2.5/4 Dec 30, 2012 Full Review The Rum Diary | Rotten Tomatoes (2) 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 Full Review The Rum Diary | Rotten Tomatoes (3) 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 Full Review The Rum Diary | Rotten Tomatoes (4) 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 Full Review The Rum Diary | Rotten Tomatoes (5) 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 The Rum Diary | Rotten Tomatoes (6) 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/25/24 Full Review scott f Just got around to watching this, terrible terrible movie,no plot line,just literally a party movie for Depp Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 08/25/23 Full Review 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 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Most definitely weird in the same way as Fear and Loathing, but this is funnier Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Terrible movie. Slow, not great acting, no interest drawn Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 12/12/22 Full Review rebecca b It was a very good movie. Wish one actress wasn't in it but at least her scenes was small Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Bruce Robinson Director Johnny Depp Paul Kemp Aaron Eckhart Sanderson Michael Rispoli Sala Amber Heard Chenault Richard Jenkins Lotterman
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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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