The Rum Diary

2011·Movie
2h 0min·R
59
DecentGoodWatch score

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Rum Diary fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Adrenaline5
  • Fast Pace5

Heart

Romantic and melancholic

Much of it is about growing up.

  • Romance7
  • Melancholy7
  • Coming of Age7

Humor

Some sharp wit and satire

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Satire & Parody5
  • Absurdist Humor4

World

History, growing up, and society

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, dialogue, and characters

  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

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

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.
Journalist's JourneyPuerto Rico 1950sRum-SoakedSocial CommentaryComing-of-AgeLost GenerationCorruption and IdealismCharacter-Driven

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Rum Diary

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Rum Diary legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Rum Diary worth watching?

59
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 60/100 (IMDb 6.1, Rotten Tomatoes 51%, and Metacritic 83). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Rum Diary rated?

RStrong languageDrug use

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: strong language and drug use.

How long is The Rum Diary?

2 h 0 min

The Rum Diary runs 2 h 0 min.

Is The Rum Diary based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Rum Diary?

Critics67
Audiences53

Not quite. Critics rate The Rum Diary higher (67) than audiences (53). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was The Rum Diary a box office hit?

Budget$45 million
Box office$24 million

No. It cost about $45 million to make and earned $24 million worldwide, 53% of its budget.

What language is The Rum Diary in?

EnglishGermanSpanish

It was made in English, with some German, Spanish. Produced in United Kingdom, United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Rum Diary?

49ARATAUBEBGBOBRBYBZCACHCLCOCR+35

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Rum Diary in 49 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Rum Diary use?

Hero's Evil PredecessorStarving ArtistShower of LoveMs. FanserviceHorrorscopeNaked First ImpressionBig Fancy HouseShameless Fanservice GirlThe Film of the BookBooze FlamethrowerIntrepid ReporterCorrupt Corporate Executiveand 20 more

TV Tropes lists 32 storytelling tropes for The Rum Diary, including Hero's Evil Predecessor, Starving Artist, Shower of Love.

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