From Bruce Robinson, the director of Withnail and I and screenwriter of The Killing Fields, comes the film The Rum Diary based on Hunter S. Thompson’s novel of the same name. It stars Johnny Depp, Giovanni Ribisi, Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, Richard Jenkins and Amaury Nolasco.
Depp stars as Paul Kemp, the itinerant journalist who decides to leave behind the hustle and bustle of New York during the Eisenhower era and head off to the island of Puerto Rico. There he is hired by the failing local newspaper “The San Juan Star,” to write horoscopes and pleasing stories about the locals. Although Kemp attempts to do some serious reporting, his articles are rejected by the paper’s editor Edward. J. Lotterman.
Kemp quickly adopts the rum-soaked lifestyle and befriends fellow reporter Bob Sala who becomes his partner in crime. Together, they get caught up in the American entrepreneur Hal Sanderson’s shady dealings as Kemp falls for Sanderson’s beautiful fiancée Chenault. While Kemp wants to be a serious reporter and expose Sanderson’s money-making scheme to turn the pristine island into a capitalist paradise, he and Sala’s drinking escapades send them straight to jail. Hungover and facing a year in jail, the two find themselves pulled deeper into Sanderson’s plan when he bails them out.
Forced to choose between his journalistic integrity and corruption, Kemp finally finds his moral voice. He joins forces with Sala and fellow journalist Moberg to put their words to good use and they go on a quest to expose Sanderson for the bastard he really is.
The DVD and Blu-ray include the featurettes that go inside The Rum Diary and its back-story. Both releases are available at all major New York City retailers including Best Buy, Target and Walmart (in Long Island).
Cast:
- Johnny Depp as Paul Kemp
- Aaron Eckhart as Hal Sanderson
- Michael Rispoli as Bob Sala
- Amber Heard as Chenault
- Richard Jenkins as Edward J. Lotterman
- Giovanni Ribisi as Moberg
- Amaury Nolasco as Segarra
- Marshall Bell as Donovan
- Bill Smitrovich as Zimburger
- Julian Holloway as Wolsey
- Karen Austin as Mrs. Zimburger
- Jason Smith as Davey
- Bruno Irizarry as Lazar
Special Features:
- A Voice Made of Ink and Rage: Inside The Rum Diary
- The Rum Diary Back-Story
Best Prices:
DVD - $16.99 at Amazon.com, Best Buy, $17.96 at Walmart.com, $17.99 at Target
Blu-ray - $19.96 at Walmart.com, $19.99 at Amazon.com, Best Buy, $22.99 at Target
Stores:
- Best Buy: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
- BJ's Wholesale Club: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
- Blockbuster: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
- FYE: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
- Kmart: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
- Toys 'R' Us: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
- Target: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
- Walmart: Long Island locations or use the store locator for other areas.
- Amazon.com charges sales tax for all New York shipping addresses.
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