Filming locations become an important part of a story when they capture the charm of small towns and busy cities. That’s exactly what the Max Original teen comedy Sweethearts does by bringing beautiful and real-life settings to life. Jordan Weiss, who directed Dollface, directed this movie about two best friends who make a big promise and then have to figure out how to live in college.
New Line Cinema & Picturestart produced it, and talented actors like Chloe Troast and Jake Bonjiovi give it a unique Jersey feel. We’ll look at the Sweethearts Filming sites that make this sweet story come to life in this article.
Sweethearts: Plot Summary
In Sweethearts, Ben (Nico Hiraga) and Jamie (Kiernan Shipka), who have been best friends since eighth grade, go through their first year of college. Both are in long-distance relationships with their high school sweethearts. Ben is with Claire, who is controlling, and Jamie is with Simon, who has anger issues and finds it hard to connect with others.
Ben and Jamie decide to break up over Thanksgiving break because they are excited to start their new lives in college. Their plan takes them on a crazy night full of surprises that test their friendship and get them out of their comfort zones. The two learn what it means to support each other while pursuing their own happiness as they make new friends and deal with personal problems.
Where was Sweethearts Movie Filmed?
Sweethearts showcases the beauty of New Jersey through its diverse filming locations. Here’s a closer look at some of the key spots featured in the movie:
Cranford, New Jersey
Cranford’s cute country charm was a big part of making “Sweethearts” feel like a real small town. The Cranford Theater, a famous movie theater from 1926, was the setting for several touching scenes. Also, Délice Macarons and Eastman Clock Plaza Park, which is known for its Victorian clock, made great places for the main characters to hang out. “Cranford was the perfect small town setting that matched the movie’s nostalgic and close-knit vibe,” said director Jordan Weiss.
Bergen County, New Jersey
The movie showed many Bergen County towns, such as Mahwah, Elmwood Park, Lyndhurst, & Demarest. Notably, Ramapo College in Mahwah was used for scenes inside the college and the Parkway Lanes bowling alley in Elmwood Park and the Colonial Diner in Lyndhurst added a touch of classic Americana. “Shooting at Parkway Lanes was a blast—it really captured the carefree spirit of college life,” Nico Hiraga said.
Passaic County, New Jersey
With the busy shopping areas of Clifton and Paterson in Passaic County, the characters could see the city side of life. A lot of the filming took place in well-known places like Duffy’s Tavern in Paterson and UFCW Local 1262 in Clifton.
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County, New Jersey: West Orange Fire Station No. 3 and a number of suburban areas in Essex County helped to show the movie’s more peaceful, homey scenes. Several exciting scenes involving the characters took place at the fire station in particular.
Kinnelon, New Jersey
Kinnelon’s lush greenery, which is known for its peace & natural beauty was the perfect place for the characters to spend quiet time together thinking. “Kinnelon’s calm streets were the perfect backdrop for some of the movie’s most sentimental scenes,” said Kiernan Shipka.
Edison High School, New Jersey
The football field at Edison High School was a great place to film a number of exciting scenes that take place during the characters’ high school flashbacks. The famous sports atmosphere at the school helped make those moments feel more real.
Jersey City, New Jersey
The movie had a lot of life and energy in Jersey City, which stood out beautifully against the quieter small-town settings. Jersey City’s busy neighborhoods made for a faster-paced background, perfect for the movie’s lively party scenes and modern college life.
When was the movie “Sweethearts” filmed?
Starting on July 14, 2022, filming for Sweethearts ended on August 19, 2022. The main filming was finished in August 2022. Scenes were filmed in several New Jersey towns, such as Jersey City, Cranford, and Mahwah’s Ramapo College. Everyone on the cast and crew had a great time working together, which made the filming process memorable.
Should you watch ‘Sweethearts’?
Of course! There is both humor and heart in Sweethearts, a great romantic comedy. The movie is great because it has a story about friendship and personal growth that is relatable, great acting by Kiernan Shipka and Nico Hiraga, and a beautiful setting in New Jersey. Sweethearts is a fun and touching movie that’s great for anyone who likes romantic comedies or stories about figuring out college life.
Cast List for Sweethearts Movie
A lot of talented actors and actresses make up the cast of Sweethearts. They bring the happy and sad stories to life. Their dynamic performances as likable characters add a lot to the movie’s charm and appeal. Take a closer look at the main cast:
— Kiernan Shipka as Jamie
Kiernan Shipka, who is known for her roles in Mad Men and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, plays Jamie, a freshman in college who is having a hard time with being in a long-distance relationship. Her nuanced performance brings out Jamie’s inner struggles and shows how she changes throughout the movie.
This is Nico Hiraga as Ben Best. Nico Hiraga plays Ben, Jamie’s best friend and partner in their plan to break up with their high school boyfriends. Hiraga is known for his role in Booksmart. Nico’s ability to make Ben funny and real gives the character more depth.
— Claire played by Christine Taylor
Christine Taylor, who you may know from Animal House and The Brady Bunch Movie, plays Claire, Ben’s controlling high school sweetheart. The way she plays her part makes the story more interesting because her character helps Ben grow as a person.
– Simon played by Jake Bongiovi
Jake Bongiovi plays Jamie’s boyfriend Simon in his first movie role. Because Simon has trouble connecting with others and has been through a lot in the past, his interactions with Jamie are both interesting and emotional.
— Chloe Troast as Reese
Chloe Troast gives a great performance as Reese, their new college friend who makes their journey more interesting and funny.
— Caleb Hearon as Palmer
The way Caleb Hearon plays Palmer makes the story more interesting and funny. Because of his character, Jamie and Ben can get to know the college world better.
– Joel Kim Booster and Tramell Tillman
Tramell Tillman (Severance) and Joel Kim Booster (Fire Island) both have small parts in the movie but give great performances that make it funnier and more emotional.
The cast’s working together and individual skills make for a heartfelt story that hits home with viewers. Sweethearts has a mix of funny, emotional, and real acting, from Shipka and Hiraga’s believable chemistry as best friends to the supporting cast’s well-rounded roles.
Official Trailer for Sweethearts
Watch the official trailer for Sweethearts to get a sneak peek! Enjoy the fun and touching moments that are waiting for you.
From November 28, 2024, you can only stream Sweethearts on Max. Don’t miss this sweet romantic comedy that captures the essence of friendship and starting over so well.
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