Flamingo Grove

Flamingo Grove is a nostalgic, character-driven genre mashup. It combines the camaraderie of The Expendables, the sweetness of Stand by Me, and the stylized grit of Miami Vice. At its core, it’s about family—not by blood, but by choice—and what happens when unlikely heroes decide their fight isn’t over yet. Set in the sun-soaked pastel world of 1989 Tampa, Flamingo Grove is an ensemble action-comedy with a nostalgic heart. The story follows Zack Bishop, a 17-year-old skater kid with a tragic past: his father died from a drug overdose, and his mother is a recovering addict. Working a summer job at a retirement community called Flamingo Grove, Zack tries to stay out of trouble while quietly crushing on his classmate, Tiffany Walker. But his world shifts when he bonds with a group of eccentric, sharp-witted WWII veterans who see a younger version of themselves in him. Flamingo Grove isn’t just any retirement village—it’s home to a crew of retired soldiers still full of fire and mischief. Among them are Duke Wellington, their stoic leader with a terminal illness; Romeo, the charming rogue; Specter, the ghost-like sniper; Gato, the fiery Cuban artist; and Caesar, the practical second-in-command. Together, they form a brotherhood forged in war, but now faded into daily routine—until danger knocks at their door. A rising Russian crime syndicate, led by the volatile and coke-snorting Sergei, is muscling into Tampa’s underground. Drugs flow freely through teen dealers—including two local boys, Travis and Donnie—and Zack’s mom tragically relapses. After Zack is violently assaulted by syndicate enforcers, the veterans rally around him. For them, this fight is personal: protecting Zack gives them a mission again, and the drug ring’s presence threatens the peaceful home they’ve built. What follows is a blend of action, heartfelt mentorship, and generational humor as the veterans prepare for war. With Zack’s help, they booby-trap the neighborhood using a combination of old war tactics, makeshift weapons, and sheer nerve. When Sergei launches a full-blown nighttime assault on Flamingo Grove, the seniors strike back with military precision—and plenty of wisecracks. The climax features a brutal face-off between Duke and Sergei. Though mortally wounded, Duke manages to kill the mobster and save the community, going out with dignity and valor. In the aftermath, the surviving veterans buy Flamingo Grove from greedy developers and ensure its independence. Zack chooses to stay close to his recovering mom, finds new purpose, and wins Tiffany’s heart. In a heartfelt final scene, he drives a restored Bronco with his dad’s dog tags dangling from the mirror—a symbol of legacy, growth, and peace.