Florida Hustle

By: Jamie Steinberg

Michael Donnelly has been through a lot for only being seventeen years old. His mother committed suicide and his father is acting like it is business as usual. Michael and his mother, Crystal, shared an affinity for movies and with her passing he has become obsessed with B-movie horror films. In fact, there is one scream queen he has his eye on and hopes to convince her to star in a movie of his own making. Unfortunately, things go awry when he quickly finds himself in hot water at home and eventually mixed up with a conman and his gal pal. Florida Hustle gives a fun 1980’s adventure through the titular state, but sadly fails to capture the hearts of its readers.

Michael may live in a mansion, but his rich upbringing hasn’t brought him happiness. He’s gotten himself carried away in the making of a horror movie that has his room covered in killer plans that his father, Alex, mistakes for a cause for concern. Worried that Michael has something sinister planned, Alex arranges for his sons to be taken to a local psychiatric facility for some therapy. However, that goal goes awry when Michael finds out beforehand and escapes to a local motel – in hopes of absconding and making it to actress Dawn Karston in order to convince her to star in his film. On the lamb, Michael has a chance encounter with con-artist Cavanaugh Reilly. Cavanaugh is able to convince innocent Michael that he is willing to help him meet up with Dawn and all he needs to do is purchase a car using the cash and gold card that he stole off his father. While awaiting their escape, Cavanaugh’s gal pal Lola Fernandez Famosa (yes, that’s her name) shows up on his doorstep out of her mind from drugs. Therefore, after some time to recover, the trio head out on the road. This is where the story becomes a bit hard to turn pages as chapters swaps back and forth from Michael, Cavanaugh and Lola’s road trip to Dawn’s on-set concerns for her safety to a bit of familial drama on Cavanaugh’s end.

Author Paul Wilborn clearly knows the state of Florida and some fun places to highlight as he is a former Tampa Tribune reporter; however, the plot of Florida Hustle is hard invest in. Alex is intent on having Michael locked up for his own safety. Why hasn’t Alex sat down with his son though and had a heart-to-heart talk? I get Alex is more corporate tycoon than father figure, but if he had such a deep concern for his child, one would imagine there would be a conversation and maybe a few appointments to a therapist before calling in a psychiatric facility to wrap his kid up in a white coat and carry him off. Plus, Cavanaugh is equally as self-absorbed as Michael’s father – clearly with his own agenda. Michael may be naïve since he’s spent his entire life home schooled, but can he really be so blind that he agrees to dole out money hand over fist for the help of a guy whom he met at a seedy motel? Add in Cavanaugh’s daughter showing up mid escape and there is just too much happening all at once.

For those that live in Florida, you might find it fun to read about the places that Michael and his posse make it to and out of; however, Florida Hustle really lacks an investible plot and characters. If you’re looking for an 80’s set adventure filled with real fun and characters that give you real feels, check out the film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.