TV Movie

Studio Showtime Pictures, 1997
Source: Based on the Elmore Leonard Novel, Gold Coast
Length 109 min.
Genre: Crime/Contemporary
Special Notes:
Director: Peter Weller
Producer: Showtime Pictures
Screenwriter: Harley Peyton
Cast: David Caruso, Barry Primus,  Jeff Kober, Marg Helgenberger, Wanda De Jesus, Richard Bradford, Melissa Hickey,  Rafael Báez,  Jim R. Coleman,  Andrew Nash, Shari Stowe.

The title is Elmore Leonard’s Gold Coast. That’s because the director, Peter Weller, who starred in the tepid Cat Chaser finally gets a chance to direct one of Elmore’s and wanted his name in the title. Weller has considerable reverence for Elmore’s work and approached the task with a religious fervor to preserve the author’s words and sounds on the               screen.

Karen’s DiCilli (Marg Helgenberger) is married to Frank (Richard Bradford), a millionaire who fools around on her. When she follows suit, he vows vengeance. Then he dies after a tryst.              Frank leaves Karen millions of dollars but in trust, with the instructions that if she gets involved with another man, she forfeits the money. Frank Maguire (David Caruso) did a job for Frank but was not paid, He goes to Karen hoping to collect what Frank owes him. When they meet there’s an attraction. Their nemesis is Roland Crowe, one of Elmore’s great unhinged bad guys.

Weller made good use of his Florida locations and got good performances out of his cast. Weller keeps the suspense going until the end and carefully showcases Elmore’s dialogue. Elmore               Leonard’s Gold Coast had the most atmosphere; it combined the sound and setting of the book.

He risked everything for her…including his life.