The Flamingo Kid

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The Flamingo Kid

PG-13

1984

1h 40m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Brooklyn teenager Jeffrey Willis (Matt Dillon), thoroughly unhappy with his modest homestead, embraces the other-world aspects of his summer job at the posh Flamingo Club. He spurns his father (Héctor Elizondo) in favor of the patronage of smooth-talking Phil Brody (Richard Crenna) and is seduced by the ample bikini charms of club member Carla Samson (Janet Jones). But thanks to a couple of late-summer hard lessons, the teen eventually realizes that family should always come first.

Neil Jillett

The Age (Australia)

Director and co-writer Garry Marshall amusingly captures the sensual, sun-struck atmosphere of the club, and, apart from some lumberingly contrived scenes, tells the story well enough.

Feb 14, 2025

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

The movie has an engaging surface, but it's all surface -- it's like watching an outsize TV.

Jan 4, 2018

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Variety Staff

Variety

Dillon does a good job in his fullest, least narcissistic characterization to date.

Mar 26, 2009

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Chase Burns

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Watch and be reminded that no one could drink a cocktail and deliver a line like Jessica Walter.

Jan 20, 2022

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Leonard Klady

Winnipeg Free Press

It's a small picture but an enormously entertaining and satisfying movie-going experience.

Aug 19, 2021

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Rob Thomas

Capital Times (Madison, WI)

Winning comedy about a have-not among the haves.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 28, 2005

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Audience Member

The late Garry Marshall directs Taking place in 1963 Matt Dillon plays Jefferey who lives in Brooklyn He’s desperate to make money and go to college but doesn’t know where to start He gets a summer job at a posh Flamingo Club Phil Brody, a gin rummy card game player takes a liking to him and he catches the attention of club member Carla Jefferey manages to make some dough as a car valet and cabana boy but might have to realize family is probably more important It’s an alright watch to be honest nothing that groundbreaking for coming of age tales

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/21/24

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steve d

Matt Dillon has become a good actor but not at this point.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Awesome soundtrack, good story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

A great cast in Dillon, Elizonda and Richard "the balls" Crenna. Soundtrack is immense with The Chiffon's, Martha and the Vandellas, The Impressions and The Shilhouettes.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Audience Member

A great movie about coming of age one summer. Matt Dillon's performance is sterling, with great supporting characters and performances. Well written, great details to setting, and an important reminder in what makes a good person.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

good com-dram from Penny Marshall's brother, Garry.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Garry Marshall

Director

Matt Dillon

Jeffrey Willis

Richard Crenna

Phil Brody

Jessica Walter

Phyllis Brody

Héctor Elizondo

Arthur Willis

Molly McCarthy

Ruth Willis

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Synopsis

Brooklyn teenager Jeffrey Willis (Matt Dillon), thoroughly unhappy with his modest homestead, embraces the other-world aspects of his summer job at the posh Flamingo Club. He spurns his father (Héctor Elizondo) in favor of the patronage of smooth-talking Phil Brody (Richard Crenna) and is seduced by the ample bikini charms of club member Carla Samson (Janet Jones). But thanks to a couple of late-summer hard lessons, the teen eventually realizes that family should always come first.

Director: Garry Marshall
Producer: Michael Phillips
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Aug 5, 2003
Runtime: 1h 40m