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The Rum Diary
The Rum Diary
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The Rum Diary

The Rum Diary

2011
Drama, Adventure
1h 59m
American journalist Paul Kemp takes on a freelance job in Puerto Rico for a local newspaper during the 1950s and struggles to find a balance between island culture and the ex-patriots who live there. (imdb)

Directed by:

Bruce Robinson

Screenwriter:

Bruce Robinson, Hunter S. Thompson

Starring:

Johnny Depp, Giovanni Ribisi, Aaron Eckhart, Richard Jenkins, Michael Rispoli, Marshall Bell, Amber Heard

Genres:

Drama, Adventure

Country:

USA

Languages:

English, Spanish, German
imdb IMDb
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The Rum Diary

2011
Drama, Adventure
1h 59m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 36.6% from 1042 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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xacviantxacviant
Rated 31 Oct 2011
73
31st
THE RUM DIARY, for significant stretches of its running time, achieves a loose, semi-surreal tone that feels liberated from the shackles of a traditional narrative. But at other times, it tries for a plot involving a shady developer (Aaron Eckhart), which doesn't really catch fire, and it ends on a decidedly weak note. The performances help a great deal; Johnny Depp is good, but Giovanni Ribisi, as the indescribable Moberg, steals the show (and deserves awards); points also for the local flavor.
Rated 31 Oct 2011
desertpunkDesertPunk
Rated 20 Apr 2013
83
81st
While it certainly stumbles around a bit, the movie is a great tale of our dreams and aspirations, and trying to keep them alive in a world that's not hospitable to them.
Rated 20 Apr 2013
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 03 May 2012
50
33rd
Robinson chooses the lighter touch, the shorter way, reducing his main character to a drinker who happens to be a journalist. It seems always fake and too cartoonish to be taken seriously -- and I guess this sould at least more thoughtful. If there is a voice here, it was suffocated by the impressive number of gags.
Rated 03 May 2012
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 08 Feb 2012
65
26th
Probably the closest a film has come to being terrible while still being good. I don't know what I mean by that, but it's true.
Rated 08 Feb 2012
cinemaasiaCinema_Asia
Rated 31 Jan 2012
60
30th
It's got quirky characters, scenery, and wit but the problem is it's just not that interesting. It's more of a look into the life and head of H.S. Thompson and his writing than any of the characters but even then it's barely a glimpse as to what he was about. This is a faint prototype of HST's best work that has no real end, it's just a plodding film trying to find its voice which incidentally is what the character Kemp (Depp) as a writer is trying to do throughout the film.
Rated 31 Jan 2012
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 05 Nov 2011
70
63rd
Johnny Depp as a young Hunter S. Thompson discovering his unique voice as a writer after observing poverty and corporate corruption in 1960 Puerto Rico. There's lots of drunken shenanigans amongst the witty banter, and Giovanni Ribisi is hilarious in his supporting role. The ending falls a little flat though, Depp's big moment of epiphany seems somehow less climactic than it should.
Rated 05 Nov 2011
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 29 Oct 2011
65
45th
The story is appealing enough, and the fact that they toned down the psychedelic scenes of absurdity make it more accessible than Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Strong acting make the writing appear better than it is, which is mostly just a few moments of greatness surrounded by much that's just ok. When the movie starts picking up and really feeling like it's going to go to the next level it ends pretty abruptly. Not necessarily a must see but it's good enough.
Rated 29 Oct 2011
purgatospurgatos
Rated 04 Feb 2013
54
22nd
If you've been looking for a movie that makes you constantly wish you were watching Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas instead, this is the one.
Rated 04 Feb 2013
oldgoatoldgoat
Rated 06 Aug 2012
54
21st
People liked fear and loathing right? Let's do it again but worse in every way! The little good doesn't outweigh the lot of bad.
Rated 06 Aug 2012
sellissellis
Rated 04 Aug 2012
62
24th
This high of score, simply because the inebriated mischief has moments of genius.
Rated 04 Aug 2012
joojooJooJoo
Rated 17 Jun 2012
4
56th
Doesn't measure up to the intensity and dark nature of its source. Not in the least.
Rated 17 Jun 2012
kavuKavu
Rated 08 Mar 2012
53
26th
Fear and Loathing in San Juan doesn't really have what it takes to keep me interested. Decent acting performances.
Rated 08 Mar 2012
tjekhovTjekhov
Rated 07 Feb 2012
50
40th
Definitely average(maybe a dip below that - what's that love story all about), but at times it has strikes of decadent oddities, which are worthwhile.
Rated 07 Feb 2012
overratedoverrated
Rated 08 Jan 2012
49
46th
me, in 2019: Stay away from that woman, Johnny! Don't do it!
Rated 08 Jan 2012
maartenmaarten
Rated 21 Dec 2011
52
40th
A very, very average film - something I'm not likely to say about a Depp film. While his (and Ribisi's) performance is decent, the story itself is boring and uninspired. I can appreciate the 'social commentary' on the 'American dream' and what it actually means to others... but the -valid- point could have been made a lot better. Shame.
Rated 21 Dec 2011
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
Rated 12 Dec 2011
75
65th
Man, I came here to write stuff and then I saw SirStuckey had already written all the stuff I meant to write. Weak.
Rated 12 Dec 2011
stewballStewball
Rated 01 Nov 2011
70
54th
Engaging, but ultimately a propaganda hit piece on evil capitalists. Set in 1960, so I'm surprised Depp didn't end up with his Che pendant on, fighting alongside Castro. Good story otherwise, and good acting, especially Ribisi and El Monstro. It appears Depp isn't the draw that he used to be even though he's as much a presence as ever in this. Don't suppose that could have anything to do with his whoring Jack Sparrow franchise down to the teeny-bopper nub.
Rated 01 Nov 2011
ytadelYtadel
Rated 29 Oct 2011
3
28th
It has some appealing actors, amusing situations, and a nice Puerto Rican flavor, but they don't always mesh into a particularly cohesive or compelling narrative.
Rated 29 Oct 2011
bearmasterbearmaster
Rated 01 Aug 2022
59
23rd
Where the buffalo don't roam
Rated 01 Aug 2022
xakkmasterXakkMaster
Rated 23 Sep 2020
59
27th
Pretty decent performances, but a mess of a movie otherwise.
Rated 23 Sep 2020
urikeurike
Rated 26 Apr 2020
99
87th
Funny and exciting Story ..great romance between depp and herd also great acting between two
Rated 26 Apr 2020
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 03 Oct 2017
55
49th
Not bad.
Rated 03 Oct 2017
agentsnipeAgentSnipe
Rated 17 Aug 2016
78
54th
After Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, I'm sure a lot of people were intrigued by the notion of Johnny Depp tackling more Hunter S. Thompson material and they were probably let down. From a stylistic and a conent standpoint, the two films are quite different. There are still trippy moments in The Rum Diary, but it's not the same sort of free-wheeling acid journey of F&LiLV. This plot is slightly more coherent. That all being said, I actually kind of liked it.
Rated 17 Aug 2016
feniusFenius
Rated 16 Dec 2015
80
29th
Well, it's better than Fear And Loathing...
Rated 16 Dec 2015
angrypierreangrypierre
Rated 23 Jan 2015
40
15th
The kind of people that idiots will laugh at simply due to Johnny Depp drinking a lot, that completely strips away anything that might have been interesting from Thompson's original work. The endless scenes of alcohol and substance abuse make the occasional attempts at journalistic and literary poignancy frankly ridiculous. Drama school codswollop on the big screen.
Rated 23 Jan 2015
boomdiddlyboomdiddly
Rated 23 Oct 2014
31
11th
Better have alcohol nearby if you're going to watch this. Otherwise it will be painful viewing.
Rated 23 Oct 2014
ribcageribcage
Rated 02 Mar 2014
62
42nd
meanders through the plot...in the wrong way.
Rated 02 Mar 2014
mistersplicemistersplice
Rated 25 Dec 2013
65
51st
6+ recommended
Rated 25 Dec 2013
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 30 Jul 2013
80
63rd
A terrific performance from Depp, and a cleverly conceived, hilarious opening sequence (featuring the invaluable Jenkins), establishes the film on a path to greatness. However once the political content of the story is unfurled (and delivered as leaden exposition) the fun starts to drain away, and credibility issues in the Depp/Heard/Eckhart triangle makes it hard to become involved in the ensuing incidents. Still works very well when it sticks to stoner comedy; Rispoli is also a lot of fun.
Rated 30 Jul 2013
martrynmartryn
Rated 29 Jun 2013
61
29th
More coherent than Fear and Loathing, you can easily tell, despite not knowing who Thompson was, that these two stories came from the same author. I felt it didn't have the same sort of energy as F&L, and kept trying to assign a plot to the film that would lead to some sort of climax at the end, but I never felt that it did. It's mediocre while being disappointing.
Rated 29 Jun 2013
nick-hamdenNick Hamden
Rated 03 Jun 2013
40
19th
http://gorgview.com/the-rum-diary
Rated 03 Jun 2013
nimnonimno
Rated 16 Mar 2013
30
24th
I couldn't even finish watching this. It had a few moments, I guess, that when featured in the trailer made it seem like it would be a great movie to spend money on. Bzzzt. Nope.
Rated 16 Mar 2013
teknicolorteknicolor
Rated 17 Feb 2013
47
32nd
Compelling story, but definitely watered down for the kiddies.
Rated 17 Feb 2013
domahdomah
Rated 20 Oct 2012
40
19th
Amber Heard is the only reason to watch this movie.
Rated 20 Oct 2012
tagalongtagalong
Rated 20 Sep 2012
92
85th
This film brought me back to an era without super heroes, or 3D or special effects. It was a story about real people doing real things. A very good movie with an interesting story. Very funny as well.
Rated 20 Sep 2012
ryan_luedersRyan Lueders
Rated 28 Aug 2012
58
13th
A very boring movie and not one of Johnny Depp's best performances. The movie had a run time of almost 2 hours and I probably checked the clock about 40 times to see if it was almost over. There were only two exciting things about this film, one was Amber Heard and the other was how awesome Giovanni Ribisi's performance was. Other than that, this movie was lame and oozed Hunter S. Thompson's politics which this movie didn't fail to put as much of that in as they could. I wouldn't recommend this.
Rated 28 Aug 2012
verosaurus88verosaurus88
Rated 20 Aug 2012
75
65th
I love HST. You can hear him here, a lot of crazy talk and madness, but not at all close to Buffalo Roam or F&L. Watch it, laugh a little, forget it.
Rated 20 Aug 2012
kleaklea
Rated 20 Jul 2012
39
34th
wanted to like it, but couldn't get into it
Rated 20 Jul 2012
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 08 Jul 2012
63
34th
Ultimately a disappointment in writing. The actors do their part, sometimes admirably, but the story seems like it wants to be silly, yet grand and sweeping and this rarely works. The film is still watchable it's just frustrating. I may go read the source material and see what's what.
Rated 08 Jul 2012
amerigoamerigo
Rated 02 Jul 2012
87
91st
If you're expecting another Fear and Loathing you will be disappointed. This is a different movie--it has a streak of seriousness and real life to it. It meanders (like life does) and finally finds something real.
Rated 02 Jul 2012
jack_parsonsjack parsons
Rated 25 Jun 2012
8
60th
This was a much more modest HST story that portrays his niche as a writer and his drive to take down some of the corrupt, especially if witnessed first hand. While, this isn't Fear and Loathing, it never made that claim. It is an unfair and irrelevant theme to look for in this film. Instead, we get a nice, modest, HST-esque performance from Depp. Very enjoyable story, and some hilarious moments.
Rated 25 Jun 2012
allidwyallidwy
Rated 22 Jun 2012
79
33rd
Love Johnny Depp, love Amber Heard, didn't love this movie. It was alright but not great.
Rated 22 Jun 2012
elysian_airElysian Air
Rated 16 Jun 2012
72
36th
For all of its imperfections and the unabashed Hollywood gloss, the unrestrained fire of Hunter S. Thompson's brilliance bleeds through in every frame. It's as if to say, "Fuck your mainstream sentiments, I burn beneath it all, with rage and discontent." Certainly Depp's performance holds some responsibility, but there's an optimism and youthful vigor in the young Hunter's work that makes this film somewhat palatable. It's a failure, but it's tragedy is accompanied with mirth. Enjoy losing.
Rated 16 Jun 2012
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 15 Jun 2012
70
60th
I watched this without any expectations nor knowing anything about this movie, so I was pleasantly surprised. I'm not a Depp fan at all, but he was ok in this. Interesting characters and there are many funny and over the top things to be seen. The car scene or the flamethrower scene for instance.
Rated 15 Jun 2012
nunmakNunMak
Rated 06 May 2012
61
34th
Veers into self-indulgence too often and could have used a bit of a trimming, but it's fun, if unfocused and sometimes rambling, fare.
Rated 06 May 2012
kingjohnbbqKingjohnbbq
Rated 03 May 2012
79
34th
eh. It definitely was a movie that had johnny depp and other people in it.
Rated 03 May 2012
damildamil
Rated 26 Apr 2012
65
54th
This is always going to bring about Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) comparisons. They're similar in a few respects, but also quite different. I mean, this film is nowhere near as batshit crazy (pun intended) as the Terry Gilliam film. It wasn't nearly as entertaining either. I thought it was pretty decent though. Depp and the rest of the cast are great and they play some fun, quirky characters. The plot itself, however, isn't all that interesting. Still, I liked it.
Rated 26 Apr 2012
bharathbharath
Rated 11 Apr 2012
65
41st
The movie has the quirky characters and Johnny Depp portrays one of the characters very well as usual. I believe the movie could have been better than what it turned out to be. The story has some very good potential if it had been adapted better. The performance by all the actors is great. Amber Heard looks stunning in the movie. A nice story.
Rated 11 Apr 2012
gillsoloGillSolo
Rated 06 Apr 2012
69
37th
Good performances with some decent humor. Certainly not what it was hyped up to be...
Rated 06 Apr 2012
katelynkatelyn
Rated 24 Mar 2012
80
48th
I don't really mind the lacking plot because I found the story interesting.
Rated 24 Mar 2012
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 20 Mar 2012
65
30th
Well... Depp was perfect, as was Aaron Eckhart! And Amber Heard was amazingly beautiful.. but the directing/script kind of sucked a lot of the time. Also, it's not a good idea to give a movie an open ending like this.. it's very unsatisfying for the audience. (obviously it's based on a true story.. but it's still a movie.. all that trouble for nothing always sucks).
Rated 20 Mar 2012
chemical404chemical404
Rated 18 Mar 2012
60
59th
People have way too high expectations for this film just because Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was so good. It's a simple little movie, entertaining enough to be enjoyable. It often reminds of romantic comedies from the 90's. Cast led by ever charming Depp does a good job. Not exactly a big directing comeback of Robinson.
Rated 18 Mar 2012
muzak66muzak66
Rated 02 Mar 2012
78
58th
I thought it was one of Johnny Depps better movies and it was pretty funny especially when he was high.
Rated 02 Mar 2012
leekennleekenn
Rated 28 Feb 2012
48
14th
I'll be honest and just admit straight up that I was really hoping for a Fear And Loathing sequel, but nonetheless I'd like to think I'm being fairly open minded when I say that this was pretty lacking. I just feel that there's not really a full plot here, that the characters are amusing but not genuinely interesting, and that the pacing is too slow. If this was you I'd want to hear your story, but that doesn't mean it makes for a great film at all.
Rated 28 Feb 2012
cwaitscwaits
Rated 25 Feb 2012
63
13th
Had a lot of potential, but just ended up being a load of dribble in the end.
Rated 25 Feb 2012
picktheflickpicktheflick
Rated 21 Feb 2012
60
0th
Review on YouTube: http://youtu.be/UqTcCgawRAw
Rated 21 Feb 2012
td888td888
Rated 12 Feb 2012
60
57th
Looks like Depp's children are growing up, he's finally back into doing interesting movies after that pirates crap. Enjoyable film
Rated 12 Feb 2012
luthar15luthar15
Rated 01 Feb 2012
81
87th
tinysausagetinysausage
Rated 29 Jan 2012
71
47th
Most of the hysterical rage of Robinson's earlier films has gone, but this still has its moments of anarchic hilarity and is a lot of fun. The cast is all good, especially Ribisi and Rispoli. It was just nice to see a film like this being made in 2011.
Rated 29 Jan 2012
redactedredacted
Rated 29 Jan 2012
68
43rd
Only really floats when HST's writing bleeds through into the script. The romance was stoked by about 10 lines between the characters, the implied anal-bouncing-car-sex was cheap and the acid tongue wasn't long enough.
Rated 29 Jan 2012
johnsandwichJohnSandwich
Rated 29 Jan 2012
65
52nd
I had low expectations from the clips I'd seen, so I ended up quite enjoying it. It feels very... inconsequential, and it fizzles the last 20 minutes, but it had more visual flair than I was expecting and was generally quite pleasant.
Rated 29 Jan 2012
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 27 Jan 2012
62
53rd
There was some highlights but mostly I'm not much in with this kind of stories. And then again it was too often tiresome.
Rated 27 Jan 2012
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 13 Dec 2011
74
42nd
Johnny Depp gives a fun performance, Michael Rispoli and Richard Jenkins are also really good here. There are many funny moments scattered in the film and the scenery is great to look at. You don't have to be a Hunter S. Thompson fan to enjoy this movie.
Rated 13 Dec 2011
filliganFilligan
Rated 19 Nov 2011
56
9th
This suffered greatly from the same thing Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas did, which was expecting an audience to appreciate the point of a story after only vaguely referencing it a couple times. But in this case it's far worse considering the film plays it safer, so the humor is subdued and boring and the rest is forgettable. Even the one attempt to tap into Fear and Loathing's drug-inspired lunacy falls flat because it's totally pointless. We meander through rum and drugs to learn greed sucks.
Rated 19 Nov 2011
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 16 Nov 2011
20
41st
"The film too often feels like a series of perfunctory episodes that don't cohere into a satisfying whole." - Andrew Schenker
Rated 16 Nov 2011
carsonwidCarsonWid
Rated 11 Nov 2011
70
57th
A bit of a let-down. Still a good story, but they strayed from the book too much and made it into a prequel of HSTs career instead of focusing on the story itself, which is pretty good. It got kind of fluffy, which I really didn't expect.
Rated 11 Nov 2011
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 11 Nov 2011
86
51st
i am not an avid depp fan however, i did enjoy his performance here, smitrovich and jenkins were also good in their supporting roles. there were several laugh out loud moments. even tho' this rum did run dry towards the endi would definitely recommend this one.......
Rated 11 Nov 2011
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 11 Nov 2011
2
13th
Giovanni Ribisi is the best thing about this movie.
Rated 11 Nov 2011
evolutionEvolution
Rated 02 Nov 2011
80
68th
Enjoyable film, Giovanni Ribisi does an amazing job, but the ending is pretty weak.
Rated 02 Nov 2011
kgbelliveaukgbelliveau
Rated 28 Oct 2011
80
51st
A very well written period piece, the rum diary is a character driven movie based upon the adventures of American Journalist Paul Kemp. Paul is struggling to find his voice, and he hopes he can be given the chance to do so in sunny Puerto Rico. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are delightful, extravagant and portray their characters with poise. Kemp wants to lead a certain lifestyle, and he wants to do so with ease. The Rum Diary is well done, great story, delightful movie.
Rated 28 Oct 2011

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