The Rum Diary

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

Oct 28 2011 R 1h 59m
Comedy, Drama

Tired of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, itinerant journalist Paul Kemp travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local San Juan newspaper run by the downtrodden editor Lotterman. Adopting the rum-soaked lifestyle of the late ‘50s version of Hemingway’s 'The Lost Generation', Paul soon becomes entangled with a very attractive American woman and her fiancée, a businessman involved in shady property development deals.  It is within this world that Kemp ultimately discovers his true voice as a writer and integrity as a man.

Official Trailer
Plot

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?

Written by

Bruce Robinson, Hunter S. Thompson

Directed by

Bruce Robinson

Cast

Johnny Depp, Giovanni Ribisi, Aaron Eckhart

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Infinitum Nihil, GK Films, FilmEngine

Languages

Español, Deutsch, English

Awards

2 wins & 4 nominations total

Trailers
Official Trailer
Scores
# of Votes
109,052
Average Rating
6.1 out of 10
Metascore
56
Popularity
NA