New Bedford References Abound in Paramount+ Film 'Finestkind'

All it took was 10 minutes and I was sucked right into the cinematic masterpiece Finestkind.

Since April 2022, the good people of the SouthCoast have been patiently waiting for the debut of the locally shot and set film, now on Paramount+. That free seven-day trial couldn't have been more clutch. The accurate depiction of the New Bedford waterfront combined with the fictional story of a dysfunctional family make for a brilliant finished product.

Finestkind is among the finest films.

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From the get-go, Academy Award-winning writer/director and New Bedford native Brian Helgeland puts New Bedford's working waterfront front and center in this gritty picture, and, boy, does it feel like home.

Take a look at this tense scene, shot at Rasputin's Tavern in Fairhaven:

The casting was superb, especially Tommy Lee Jones and Jenna Ortega. However, if I'm being honest, the Massachusetts accents overall seemed a little forced, with a little too much Bostonian for the New Bedford scenes. Even though there are a couple of scenes in Dartmouth and Fairhaven, most of the movie was filmed in New Bedford. I spotted numerous local staples and it was somewhat surreal.

From the steel scallop dredges constructed by Blue Fleet Welding to the local liquor stores, Finestkind shines a spotlight on many familiar places. The only thing that would make this movie better is if it were in theaters rather than only on streaming.

Here are some of the local places and references we caught. Let us know what we missed.

These SouthCoast Staples Are the Real Stars of 'Finestkind'

Finestkind, the New Bedford-set film now streaming on Paramount+, features many places SouthCoast residents know and love. Here are some of the locations and references that made it into the movie starring Tommy Lee Jones and Jenna Ortega.

Gallery Credit: Gazelle

Beloved New Bedford Bars That Are Gone But Not Forgotten

From 908 to the Regal Beagle on Acushnet Ave, these are the bars that are no longer with us but never forgotten.

Gallery Credit: Gazelle

Hilarious Google Reviews of the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge

We've all been there. You think you've made it with a couple of minutes to spare, only to get caught at the red light as the bridge closes. Some of us turn around. Others wait. What most of us don't do, however, is take our anger to the internet — but apparently, several people have, and the results are both hilarious and relatable.

With an average rating of two stars on Google, our love-to-hate-it SouthCoast landmark proves that it's at least slow enough for those stuck waiting to grab their phones and pour out their feelings online. From glowing to glowering, here's what people have to say about the New Bedford-Fairhaven bridge.

Gallery Credit: Kate Robinson