1995
Miami loan shark Chili Palmer travels to Los Angeles to collect a debt but instead becomes entangled in the movie business, pitching his life story to B-movie producer Harry Zimm. Their efforts are complicated by drug dealer Bo Catlett, who has invested in Harry's film, and the arrival of mob enforcer Ray Barboni, who followed Chili from Miami. As Chili navigates Hollywood and a romance with actress Karen Flores, he uncovers Bo's criminal activities, leading to a confrontation where Bo and his enforcer are killed in a shootout after kidnapping Karen. Ultimately, Chili outsmarts Ray Barboni on a movie set and successfully transitions into a movie producer, with his life story becoming a hit film starring Martin Weir.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Chili Palmer’s world as a smooth‐talking loan shark and movie enthusiast is established when his coat is stolen and he navigates underworld confrontations.
Open full beat sheetChili Palmer is listed as Protagonist / Loan Shark / Producer. Late thirties, calm, observant, and pragmatic. In the parsed data, Chili Palmer is connected to 20 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
20 scenes / 6 dialogue linesHarry Zimm is listed as Movie Producer. Balding, overweight, stressed. In the parsed data, Harry Zimm is connected to 10 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 5.
10 scenes / 0 dialogue linesBo Catlett is listed as Antagonist / Limo service owner. Tall, black, stylish, dangerous. In the parsed data, Bo Catlett is connected to 9 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
9 scenes / 6 dialogue linesKaren Flores is listed as Actress. Pretty, endowed, former B-movie star. In the parsed data, Karen Flores is connected to 9 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
9 scenes / 3 dialogue linesRay Barboni is listed as Antagonist / Mob enforcer. Tall, loud suit, jewelry, aggressive. In the parsed data, Ray Barboni is connected to 9 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
9 scenes / 3 dialogue linesBear is listed as Stuntman / Enforcer. Big, bearded, champion weightlifter. In the parsed data, Bear is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 15.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMartin Weir is listed as Movie Star. Two-time academy award nominee, pretentious. In the parsed data, Martin Weir is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesLeo Devoe is listed as Dry cleaner / Scammer. Small, wears plaid hats, balding. In the parsed data, Leo Devoe is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 6.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesTommy Carlo is listed as Mob associate. Low-level mob type, nervous. In the parsed data, Tommy Carlo is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 1.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesChili Palmer and Tommy Carlo discuss business at a restaurant while Chili observes the street and Ray Barboni.
Chili Palmer, Tommy Carlo, Ray BarboniChili discovers his coat is missing and learns Ray Barboni took it.
Chili Palmer, Ray BarboniChili confronts Ray Barboni at his hotel to retrieve his coat.
Chili Palmer, Tommy Carlo, Ray BarboniRay Barboni confronts Chili in the backroom; a shootout ensues.
Chili Palmer, Ray BarboniChili confronts Harry Zimm about his gambling debts and pitches a movie idea.
Chili Palmer, Harry Zimm, Karen FloresBo Catlett meets Yayo Portillo at the airport to give him instructions regarding a locker key and a federal agent.
Bo Catlett, Leo DevoeChili Palmer and Harry Zimm discuss the movie business and prepare for a meeting with Bo Catlett and Ronnie.
Chili Palmer, Harry ZimmBo Catlett and Ronnie confront Harry and Chili about their investment.
Chili Palmer, Ray Barboni, Harry Zimm, Bo CatlettChili confronts Leo Devoe about the stolen money.
Chili Palmer, Leo DevoeChili visits Harry on a movie set.
Chili Palmer, Harry ZimmBo Catlett waits for Chili in Harry's office to discuss the script.
Chili Palmer, Bo CatlettDoris Saffrin visits Harry to discuss the script and their relationship.
Harry ZimmBo Catlett kills Yayo.
Bo Catlett, Leo Devoe, BearYayo's body falls from the deck above and slides down the slope.
Bo Catlett and Bear discuss the body and Bo's desire to make movies.
Bo Catlett, BearChili and Karen arrive at Martin Weir's house and encounter Nicki.
Chili Palmer, Karen Flores, Martin Weir, BearChili and Karen meet Martin Weir and discuss movie production.
Chili Palmer, Karen Flores, Martin WeirHarry meets Bo Catlett and Bear, who offer him money.
Harry Zimm, Bo Catlett, BearHarry calls Ray Barboni.
Ray Barboni, Harry ZimmChili retrieves the money from the locker and is confronted by DEA agents.
Chili PalmerRay Barboni beats up Harry Zimm.
Ray Barboni, Harry ZimmChili and Karen discuss Martin Weir and Chili's movie idea by the pool.
Chili Palmer, Karen FloresKaren and Chili discuss his potential as an actor before being interrupted by a phone call about Harry.
Chili Palmer, Karen FloresChili and Karen visit Harry in the hospital.
Chili Palmer, Harry Zimm, Karen FloresBo Catlett pressures Bear into helping him find the money.
Bo Catlett, BearChili, Karen, Harry, and Martin Weir have lunch.
Chili Palmer, Harry Zimm, Karen Flores, Martin WeirBo Catlett confronts Chili and kidnaps Karen.
Chili Palmer, Karen Flores, Bo CatlettChili arrives to trade the money for Karen; Bo and Bear are killed.
Chili Palmer, Karen Flores, Bo Catlett, BearRay Bones confronts Chili.
Chili Palmer, Ray BarboniBones is trapped on a movie set.
Ray Barboni, Martin WeirYou understand I knew Harry was lying, saying this wasn't any good, but holding on to it, man, like you have to break his fingers to get it from him.
Martin. It was a beautiful role. All I had to do was find the character's center, the stem I'd used to wind him up and he'd play, man, he'd play.
Chilly outside. Chili inside. It's a regular fuckin' chili-fest. Hey, waiter -- give Mr. Chili Pepper a big fuckin' bowl of chili!
Ray Bones is now the man you're dealing with. Ray Bones finds out what you did, he's gonna want everything you have.
You didn't have to shoot him, Bo. We coulda just beat him up some.
They're closing the Granview. You know, theater down on Biscayne?
Guy on the radio said it's gonna get down to thirty-four.
Shit, now someone's gotta climb down there and get him.
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