The Rum Diary (2011)

American journalist Paul Kemp takes on a freelance job in Puerto Rico for a local newspaper during the 1960s and struggles to find a balance between island culture and the expatriates who live there.

Director:

Bruce Robinson

Writers:

Bruce Robinson (screenplay), Hunter S. Thompson (novel)

Stars:

Johnny Depp, Giovanni Ribisi, Aaron Eckhart

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Johnny Depp	...	Kemp
Aaron Eckhart	...	Sanderson
Michael Rispoli	...	Sala
Amber Heard	...	Chenault
Richard Jenkins	...	Lotterman
Giovanni Ribisi	...	Moberg
Amaury Nolasco	...	Segurra
Marshall Bell	...	Donovan
Bill Smitrovich	...	Mr. Zimburger
Julian Holloway	...	Wolsley
Bruno Irizarry	...	Lazar
Enzo Cilenti	...	Digby
Aaron Lustig	...	Monk
Tisuby González	...	Rosy
Natalia Rivera	...	Chenault's Friend

Storyline

Hard-drinking journalist Paul Kemp takes a job at a besieged newspaper in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His volatile editor, Lotterman, assigns him to tourist pieces and horoscopes, but promises more. Paul rooms with Sala, an aging and equally alcoholic reporter, in a rundown flat. Sanderson, a wealthy entrepreneur, hires Paul to flack for a group of investors who plan to buy an island near the capital and build a resort. Sanderson's girl-friend, the beguiling Chenault, bats her eyes at Paul. His loyalties face challenges when he and Sala get in trouble with locals, when a Carnival dance enrages Sanderson, and when the paper hits the skids. Is the solution always alcohol?

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | journalist | puerto rico | san juan puerto rico | newspaper | 

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Taglines:

One part outrage. One part justice. Three parts rum. Mix well.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, brief drug use and sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the first film directed by Bruce Robinson since Jennifer 8 (1992).

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Goofs

When Kemp interviews the tourist couple at the bowling alley,"Telstar" by The Tornadoes is playing in the background. The song was released in 1962.

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Quotes

Paul Kemp: So many hotels you can't see the sea.
Lotterman: You can see the sea by checking into the hotels.
Paul Kemp: Pay to see the sea?
Lotterman: What's the matter with that? You're paying to be in the dream...

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Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #2.16 (2011)

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Soundtracks

Roll Out The Roosters
Written by Bruce Witkin, Jimmie Wood, Joe Sublett, Michael Barsimanto and J.J. Holiday
Performed by JD Band

User Reviews

you blew it Mr. Robinson

I read the book more than ten years ago so I am hardly qualified to judge if this adaption is faithful to the original, but from what I remember and am told, it is not. I remember some flashes of brilliance in Thompsons early novel but of course they're not featured in this film.

Why? Because the director Bruce Robinson who apparently used up all his directorial firepower in "Withnail & I" chose to pursue a disjointed and haphazardly crammed vision of this book or even HST himself. I'm a huge fan of Thompson, so don't give me this "If you're a fan of HST you'll love this" crap, which is probably just marketing on IMDb.

The comedic elements don't work. Neither does the love story or the rest of it for that matter. Depp, who normally can add some depth to even the most mundane and disposable idea seems lost in this one, which he probably felt was an obligation to Hunter.

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro goes the saying and this proponent of the weird sez: this movie sucks.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English Spanish German

Release Date:

28 October 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hunter S. Thompson's The Rum Diary

Filming Locations:

Puerto Rico

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,135,369, 30 October 2011

Gross USA:

$13,109,815

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$30,134,958

Company Credits

Production Co:

GK Films, Infinitum Nihil, FilmEngine

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1