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:

Absolutely Nothing in Moderation

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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

The newspaper's name is "The San Juan Star".

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Goofs

When Kemp and Sanderson talk at the dock the morning after Sanderson's fiancée refused to leave the nightclub, Kemp's hair is frizzy, unkempt, and blowing in the breeze. Sanderson says, "You blew it, Kemp." When the camera cuts back to Kemp, moments later, his hair is styled neatly.

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Quotes

Moburg: Two of the best scoops you ever had came out of my brain and you'd better moderate your language or I'll go elsewhere.
Lotterman: Elsewhere where? You couldn't get work as a fly repellent. You're worthless, Moburg. The last onion in the jar.

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Connections

Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #2.15 (2011)

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Soundtracks

Go Cat Go
Written by Harry Bluestone and Emil Cadkin
Courtesy of APM Music

User Reviews

"Are they not complimentary?"

Plot Summary Now if your the sort of person that needs a definitive story line and thick plot to enjoy a film then this probably isn't for you. Its more a 'fly on the wall' view of a young journalists struggles in a failing newspaper. Paul Kemp(Depp) is a young man trying to make his way in a new place, making new friends and enemy's along the way.

What I thought of it I wasn't sure what I would think of this film, I new it has some great actors, such as Johnny Depp and Giovanni Ribisi, but the concept of the film was a strange one. I was pleasantly surprised, the director Bruce Robinson has done a great job with this film, which was always going to be a very tough job being adapted from a novel by Hunter S Thompson and technically having next to no strong plot.

The film itself is stunning, the locations are amazing and well shot, and the editing style and shots work brilliantly with the type of film and more importantly with Johnny Depp, who has a massive screen presence in everything he does, including 'The Rum Diary'.

This film has everything I want to see in a good movie, strong characters, great sets and brilliant comedy, along with meaning. It really makes you think about society and life nowadays and how primarily, nothing has changed in the way the world goes round and the sort of corruption and manipulation that still goes on today all around us, as it did back in the fifties, only less obviously.

On a lighter note, this film is hilarious and great to watch more than once, there is something rather satisfying about watch a man drink huge amounts of high octane rum and have to deal with the consequences the next morning, something that makes you happy its not only you.

Summary In all I thought this was a very enjoyable film for anyone to watch and have a good laugh at while loving everything about the characters. The acting is scintillating and exciting.

I highly recommend this film to all, one to watch ..... 7/10 Stars*

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