10 films or series to see before going to Miami

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach is a luxury resort on Ocean Drive that was chosen for the filming of two iconic movies: Scarface (1983) and The Bodyguard (1992). In the first, De Palma revisited the American dream, starring Al Pacino (aka Tony Montana) in a revival of Howard Hawks' Scarface (1932). A masterpiece of the gangster film, Scarface is a subtle blend of elegance, violence and banditry.

Remember that famous chainsaw scene from Scarface (a scene that was banned for under-17s) took place in this hotel. The Fontainebleau Miami Beach is located in Miami Beach. Opened in 1954, it was built by hotelier Ben Novack. It captured the atmosphere and culture of the city. The scene where Tony and his friend are looking for companionship was filmed by the pool. Other places in Miami are revealed in the film: the Coconut Grove district and Star Island.

In the film Bodyguard, starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, the hotel is used as a backdrop when the character Frank keeps a close eye on everything that happens in and around the hotel.

You only have to turn on your television to see that the most popular series featuring the city of Miami is CSI Miami. Over the course of its 232 episodes, we discover Miami and its surroundings from every angle, right down to the marshes south of the city, on the edge of the Everglades. The opening credits, led by the rock music of The Who, are an ode to the city's excessive, post-modern art deco architecture.

The series takes a forensic approach to solving police mysteries, since the protagonists are members of the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) forensic team. The ingenuity of the scriptwriters is surprisingly long-lasting, as each investigation is solved by deduction and/or scientific reconstruction. Action, shoot-outs, plot twists and climaxes are the order of the day in every episode, all set against a backdrop of good feelings. Numerous aerial shots show the beach, the marina, the streets and the sumptuous hotels.

As you stroll along Lincoln Road Mall, you get a sense of déjà vu. That's because this shopping centre was used for a scene between Robin Williams and Nathan Lane in The Birdcage (1996). The film showcases the pulsating energy of the city, particularly during the nightlife, while the scene in the shopping centre features a romantic stroll between the 2 characters. This pedestrian thoroughfare is an iconic attraction in Miami, bringing together restaurants, galleries and shops by the bay. Nearby, you can admire historic landmarks such as the Colony Theatre, and art studios and galleries.

True Lies is an action comedy with scenes set in natural surroundings. This film by James Cameron (Terminator, Titanic and Avatar), the American remake of Claude Zidi's La Totale! (1991) by Claude Zidi, recounts the misadventures of agent Harry Tasker, forced to hide his double life from his own wife. A polite computer salesman by day, he takes on the role of federal agent, confronting terrorists, the rest of the time. The climactic scene in Miami takes place at the Seven Mile Bridge linking the Keys. In this scene, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis embark on a daring chase over the bridge that ultimately leads to its destruction. Rest assured, the real bridge is still standing. This sequence offers magnificent panoramic views from the Seven Mile Bridge.

Several other Miami Beach locations were used in the film, including downtown Miami, the MacArthur Causeway and the Mandarin Oriental. In Bad Boys for Life, released in 2020, the filmmakers return to Miami for the shoot. The film takes in Ocean Drive, the Westview cemetery, José Marti Park, the Biscayne Bay marina and some of the streets where the two cops engage in car chases.

The film tells the story of ex-policeman Brian O'Conner who joins forces with his ex-colleague Roman Pearce and undercover US Customs agent Monica Fuentes. All three are out to get Miami-based drug kingpin Carter Verone. To their credit, Paul Walker and Tyrese Gibson display incredible chemistry. The action is anchored with plenty of wild chase scenes that show off John Singleton's skill, particularly in the final act. Like many of the action scenes in the Fast saga, he does a fantastic job of displaying the beautiful environment that surrounds them, and there couldn't be a better location to showcase than Miami.

The streets of Miami and their palm trees were used in several scenes in the film, including Miami Beach, Seven Mile Bridge and Homestead Air Base. The drug lord's mansion was also a real mansion in the Coral Gables area owned by Sylvester Stallone.

Adapted from the TV series of the same name, Miami Vice follows Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs, cops from the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) narcotics squad, as they wage war on the local underworld. For the occasion, the city of Miami is shown from unusual angles, particularly at night, thanks to a hyper-sensitive digital camera. It reveals its marina, the Mansion Nightclub at 1235 Washington Avenue and the Greenberg Traurig Building at 333 Southeast 2nd Avenue.

In the television series (1984), the Bayside Marketplace and the marina, a two-storey open-air shopping centre, feature in several episodes. Michael Mann directed the film in 2006, after producing the series 22 years earlier and directing the pilot.

Dexter, the most endearing serial killer, has also set up shop in Miami. The series features a number of Miami's most famous landmarks. Here's a sneak preview:

• The Port of Miami towards Mac Arthur Causeway: this is where the character witnessed his mother's murder.
• Dexter's flat with direct access to the sea is at the Bay Harbor Club, 8240 Palm Terrace, flat 10B.
• Workplace: Dexter works at the Miami police station with his sister Debra. From the outside, the station was filmed in California. However, in season 1, several exterior scenes were filmed on the streets of Miami and at the beach. A stroll through Miami is a must if you want to get under Dexter's skin.

Starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson, Marley and Me is set in South Florida. The comedy-drama focuses on the relationship between a family and their dog. One of the most memorable scenes takes place at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL's Dolphins. Other Miami locations were also used in the film, including a dog training scene at José Marti Park and some restaurant scenes.

⭐ Yotel Miami