"The Rum Diary" Reflection

As part of the audience of The Rum Diary film, I not only enjoyed the movie for its humoristic feature but also received an insight of my country’s history since it is set on Puerto Rico in the 1970s. From an American, point of view we can appreciate some cultural aspects of the island, and problems it was facing at that time period.  This movie relates to some of Jamaica’s Kincaid defining characteristics presented in her many works, like “A Small Place”. These are: location, perspective, in-group, out-group, and othering, which are also reflected in The Rum Diary, based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson. 

         The protagonist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) is a magnificent author that applies for a job at a newspaper in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Even though at first he is given the horoscope section, later he is given a very important position, in which he is asked to write about subjects that would interest tourists visiting the island. Instead, Paul writes about Puerto Rico’s most decayed aspects, like poverty, criminality, and independence strikes. This certainly locates the audience as a natural of the island, inviting them to “live” and be aware of features other than Puerto Rico’s beautiful paradise. The character of Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart) presents the theme of othering given that he constantly marks the difference between him (American) and islanders from the Caribbean. Sanderson reflect the feeling of colonists’ oppression toward the colonized, and only sees the island as a gold mine, in which he will construct many hotels without realizing the destruction of paradise itself. His superiority does not only show with Puerto Ricans, but even with Kemp who is also American, and whom Sander tries to bribe so he writes good details of his property schemes.

         Chenault (Amber Heard), who is Sander’s mistress, plays the role the beautiful woman who is tired of her husband’s ego and wealth. It can be interpreted that she represents the theme of in-group, since she seems to enjoy from the Caribbean culture and has no problem in integrating to its people as we can see in the feasts. In return, ironically, she feels out of the group when she is with Sander’s friends. Every time she has the chance, she slips away to enjoy the island. In overall, I really enjoyed this movie; I found it very informative and I appreciate the recreation of scenes that were given, and of recognized places, in the 1970s on the island that have certainly changed over time. By presenting the culture and historical facts, takes me back to my Puerto Rican roots and reinforces identity.