The Rum Diary

This semi-autobiographical, might-have-been tale is based on the first novel by Hunter S. Thompson. A hard-drinking journalist takes a job at a struggling newspaper in San Juan, Puerto Rico, after being fired twice in the USA. His erratic editor assigns him to tourist pieces and horoscopes, but promises more. He shares a run-down flat with another aging and equally alcoholic reporter. A wealthy property developer hires him to write advertorials disguised as news to hook some investors into buying an island near the capital to build a resort. The developer's girl-friend gives him the come-on. Things start to get really complicated when he and his flat mate get into trouble with locals, the developer blows his cool, and the newspaper hits serious financial trouble.