Watch The Flamingo Rising

The Flamingo Rising is a heartwarming and quirky drama film set in the 1960s in a small town in Florida. The movie is based on the novel written by Larry Baker and directed by Martha Coolidge. The plot revolves around the rise of a massive drive-in movie theater called Flamingo located in the town. The main character is a widower named Hubert T. Lee, brilliantly portrayed by William Hurt. Lee is the owner of the Flamingo drive-in and is deeply passionate about movies. He spends most of his time in his projection room watching films and dreaming of a better future for his drive-in. While Hubert is a bit of an eccentric himself, he is honest and has an unwavering commitment to his dreams.

Elizabeth McGovern plays his young assistant and love interest, Edna, who is swept off her feet by the charm of the gentle giant. Together they try to build a paradise for moviegoers and overcome the obstacles that lay ahead, including the disapproval of Tom, a grizzled and snobbish former soldier and small-town sheriff, played by Brian Benben.

Tom dislikes Hubert's movie theatre because he sees it as a threat to the town's traditional values. He considers the movies shown at the Flamingo to be immoral and a bad influence on the children of the town. His main goal in the film is to bring Hubert and the drive-in down, causing a rift between the two men.

The Flamingo Rising is also about family relationships, and how small things can heal old wounds. Hubert struggles to connect with his son, who is growing up too fast and has a hard time dealing with his mother's death. The relationship between Hubert and his son becomes strained when his son develops a fascination with Tom and his conservative values. Throughout the film, Hubert tries to bond with him by teaching him the art of cinema and sharing his love of movies.

The setting of this film is one of the main reasons why it's so charming. The Flamingo drive-in is depicted like a paradise of the 60s. It's a huge outdoor theater with a vast screen and hundreds of cars lined up to watch the movie. The atmosphere is electric, with people singing along to the tunes of the time, and blankets laid out under the stars to create a picnic-like feel.

The film also showcases some of the challenges faced by communities during the civil rights movement of the 60s. One scene depicts a group of African Americans who attempt to attend a movie at the Flamingo, only to be turned away at the door by Tom, using an outdated segregation law. Though it's a subplot, the message is clear - discrimination is wrong, and we should all have access to the pursuit of happiness in all its forms.

Overall, The Flamingo Rising is a delightful and moving film that is full of heart and soul. It's a slice of the bygone era, romanticizing the simpler things in life, and reminding us of the importance of our family, friends, and community. The performances by the three stars are exceptional, and the setting is breathtaking. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves a good story, great characters, and inspiring messages filled with optimism.

The Flamingo Rising is a 2001 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.