 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Rum Diary
- Review Date: October 28, 2011
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Hazy, rum-soaked cult classic in the making for adults only.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie based on the 1960s novel by notorious gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson has nonstop drinking, drug use, and strong language. As in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Johnny Depp portrays the writer on screen, but this definitely isn't a movie for the actor's younger fans. Swearing is constant, especially "f--k," and characters drink almost obsessively. Although there's more drinking than drugs, the drugs that are used cause hallucinations. Violence comes mostly in the form of threats, but there are brief squabbles, cuts and bruises, burns, and beatings. There's also plenty of sexual innuendo and suggestions of sex, but no actual nudity. Directed by cult filmmaker Bruce Robinson, The Rum Diary has all the ingredients of a cult classic in the making, but only for adults.
What's the story?
Failed novelist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) takes a job writing for a newspaper in San Juan, Puerto Rico, circa 1960. He starts drinking heavily with photographer Bob Salas (Michael Rispoli) but discovers there's more money to be made working with corrupt businessman Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart), who's looking to blight the countryside with ritzy hotels. Unfortunately, Paul also has his eye on Sanderson's stunning girlfriend, the troubled and troublesome Chenault (Amber Heard). After consuming monstrous amounts of alcohol and bizarre, illicit drugs, Paul makes up his mind to bury Sanderson with a well-worded article. But is it too late? What will become of Paul after his Puerto Rico adventure ends?
Is it any good?
THE RUM DIARY definitely isn't for everyone. It's too long and very sluggish in places, and there's no real payoff. But it's an unofficial follow-up to 1998's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and it marks the return of filmmaker Bruce Robinson, whose Withnail and I has already attained cult classic status. Add that to Hunter S. Thompson's unwavering underground prominence, and you have a cult classic in the making. And most of The Rum Diary is good enough to deserve it.
Best of all is Robinson's dry, British wit mingling with Thompson's raucous, biting prose, which results in some eminently quotable lines (like "my tongue feels like a towel"). Though it's not as consistently crazy as Fear and Loathing, Depp's performance is more measured and more sympathetic here, and the movie captures some vivid snapshots of Puerto Rico in action. While it's not 100% successful, most of the time it will have you either laughing hysterically or mad as hell.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the movie portrays drinking. Why do the characters drink so much? What are the consequences of their drinking and drug use? Are those consequences realistic?
Is Paul Kemp (a.k.a. Hunter S. Thompson) a hero or a role model in this movie? What does he accomplish?
Paul spends this movie looking for "his voice." How important is it for a writer to find that?
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An HONEST review
Good review royron! At least one person is honest and doesnt want to ruin other peoples lives by not allowing them to see this movie. No sex, no issues whatsover! I'm baffaled why this got off for kids.
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Leave your kids out for this one.
I've never seen the movie, but I've read reviews about it containing non-stop drinking, characters getting drunk, pervasive language (multiple uses of f**k, and recurrent strong sexual references towards women by the main character. To me, there are no positive role models in this movie, it's about a journalist who handles stress by drinking himself to death.
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Johnny you've done it again.
great movie. A minor trippy drug scene where a tongue is writhing out a mouth like a snake and a brief sexual encounter seen through a telescope are the only kid unfriendly scenes along with some minor violence. The drinking, political unrest and language were in line with the location and the era. Great acting by Depp and support.
Although not a historically correct drama, my 12 year old enjoyed the film and gained a minor understanding of the context surrounding the era, events and man.
Oh and you should not pay attention to a review from people who have not actualy watch the movie....ignorance breeds ignorance.
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| Studio: | FilmDistrict |
| Director: | Bruce Robinson |
| Cast: | Aaron Eckhart, Johnny Depp, Michael Rispoli |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 120 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 28, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | February 14, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | language, brief drug use and sexuality |
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