Kings of South Beach

Kings of South Beach
DVD cover
Written byNicholas Pileggi
Directed byTim Hunter
Starring
Music byRob Mounsey
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Nicholas Pileggi
  • Kip Konwiser
CinematographyPatrick Cady
EditorSunny Hodge
Running time90 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkA&E
ReleaseMarch 12, 2007 (2007-03-12)

Kings of South Beach is a 2007 American crime drama television film directed by Tim Hunter and written by Nicholas Pileggi, about an infamous operator of nightclubs in the South Beach section of Miami Beach, Florida. The lead character is portrayed by Jason Gedrick; his best friend is portrayed by Donnie Wahlberg. The film premiered on March 12, 2007 on A&E.

Background

The film is loosely based on a true story about the exploits of Chris Paciello, a transplanted New Yorker who was involved with the Mafia back in his hometown. He built a house of cards in South Beach, founded on models, money, and celebrity friends, including Madonna.

After an intense undercover investigation, Paciello was arrested on racketeering and murder charges, and went on to testify against known members and associates of the Colombo and Bonanno crime families.

Cast

Production

Filming took place entirely in Puerto Rico in 2006. The production received a 40% tax rebate from the Puerto Rico Film Commission.[1]

Reception

New York Post critic Linda Stasi rates Kings of South Beach as a "four star film" with a casting described as “perfect.”[2] Robert Bianco of USA Today describes "Gedrick and Wahlberg as absolutely first-rate, as these fine actors tend to be."[3] Scott Weinberg of DVD Talk-Review, however, called it "obvious, listless, and completely predictable from start to finish", and said that "Kings of South Beach is little more than a very thin retread of several much better crime stories."[4]

References

  1. ^ Wimberly, Rachel (April 11, 2007). "Exotic locations, tax breaks a big incentive". Variety. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  2. ^ "dOc Press Release Kings of South Beach". Archived from the original on September 6, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
  3. ^ Stasi, Linda (March 7, 2007). "PLAYERS CLUB- New York Post South Beach Boys' Night". Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
  4. ^ "DVDTalk ReviewL Kings of South Beach". Retrieved January 5, 2008.