The Rum Diary

R

Released Oct 28, 2011

1h 59m

Comedy

Drama

List

51%

Tomatometer

169 Reviews

36%

Audience Score

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.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Jan 16

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent The Rum Diary on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

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

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

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.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 10, 2011

Full Review

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

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

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

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 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 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 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 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Terrible movie. Slow, not great acting, no interest drawn

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 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Bruce Robinson

Director

Johnny Depp

Paul Kemp

Aaron Eckhart

Sanderson

Michael Rispoli

Sala

Amber Heard

Chenault

Richard Jenkins

Lotterman

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

69%

50%

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

94%

85%

Win Win

34%

44%

Butter

90%

79%

Up in the Air

TRAILER

for Up in the Air

71%

51%

Our Idiot Brother

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: The Rum Diary and Take Shelter

Five Favorite Films with Aaron Eckhart

Critics Consensus: Puss in Boots is the Cat’s Meow

View more photos

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: Patrick McCormick, George Tobia, William Shively, A.J. Dix, Greg Shapiro, Colin Vaines
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

Most Popular at Home Now