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The Unexpected Truth: Where Was 'It Ends With Us' Filmed? (It's Not Boston!)

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The highly-anticipated film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, It Ends With Us, has captivated millions, but the scenery on screen is not quite what fans of the book might expect. As of the latest updates in late 2024, the movie, which stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, has generated significant buzz not just for its emotional story but also for its surprising choice of backdrop. While the beloved novel places Lily Bloom’s journey firmly in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, the film’s production team made a significant logistical pivot, choosing a different state to bring the story to life.

The truth is, while the narrative is steeped in the atmosphere of New England, the majority of the principal photography for It Ends With Us actually took place a short distance away. The production utilized the urban landscapes and charming streets of New Jersey to double for the book’s Boston setting. This strategic move allowed the filmmakers to capture the essential aesthetic of the story while leveraging practical advantages, a common practice in modern Hollywood.

The Creative Team and Cast Bringing the Novel to Life

Before diving into the specific locales, it is essential to recognize the core team responsible for adapting Colleen Hoover's mega-selling 2016 novel. The film is a project driven by both star power and a deep commitment to the source material, with several key individuals taking on dual roles. The following is a detailed look at the major entities involved in the production of It Ends With Us:

  • Director & Cast Member: Justin Baldoni (Ryle Kincaid)
  • Star & Executive Producer: Blake Lively (Lily Bloom)
  • Screenwriter: Christy Hall
  • Author & Executive Producer: Colleen Hoover
  • Producer: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Alex Saks
  • Production Company: Wayfarer Studios, in development with Sony Pictures

Core Cast & Characters:

  • Blake Lively: Lily Bloom
  • Justin Baldoni: Ryle Kincaid
  • Brandon Sklenar: Atlas Corrigan
  • Jenny Slate: Allysa
  • Hasan Minhaj: Marshall
  • Amy Morton: Jenny

The production timeline saw filming commence in May 2023, with a significant pause due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, before resuming and concluding principal photography in early 2024. This extended schedule allowed the team to capture a variety of seasonal looks across the chosen locations.

New Jersey: Doubling as Boston and the Fictional Maine

The primary question on every fan's mind is, "Why New Jersey?" The novel is famously set in Boston, Massachusetts, where Lily Bloom opens her flower shop, and features flashbacks to her time in the fictional small town of Plethora, Maine. The movie needed a location that could convincingly mimic the historic, East Coast feel of Boston without the high costs or logistical challenges of filming directly in the city.

A Financial and Logistical Decision

The choice to film in New Jersey was reportedly a financial decision, a common industry practice where states offer attractive tax incentives to draw major productions. Location Manager Jeff Brown confirmed that the Garden State provided the perfect blend of urban and small-town aesthetics needed to replicate the New England setting. None of the scenes were shot on a soundstage; instead, the crew utilized on-site locations across several New Jersey cities, giving the film a genuine, lived-in feel.

The Key Filming Locations in Hudson County

The vast majority of the filming took place in Hudson County, New Jersey, specifically in the neighboring cities of Jersey City and Hoboken. These areas, which sit directly across the Hudson River from Manhattan, offer picturesque brownstones, waterfront views, and bustling commercial districts that easily stand in for Boston’s neighborhoods. Fans who have seen the trailers were quick to spot several familiar landmarks from the area:

1. South House, Jersey City (The Real-Life Roots Restaurant)

One of the most pivotal locations in the novel is Roots, Atlas Corrigan’s restaurant where he works as a chef. In the film, the scenes for Roots were shot at a real fine dining establishment in Jersey City: South House. This location served as the backdrop for the fateful encounters between Lily and Atlas. The choice of a functioning, upscale restaurant adds a layer of authenticity to Atlas's professional life on screen.

2. Lily Bloom’s Flower Shop Location

Lily’s central business, her flower shop, is a key entity in the story. While the specific storefront used has not been widely disclosed to the public, the location manager confirmed that the exterior and interior of Lily Bloom's flower shop were also constructed and filmed within the New Jersey area. The production team masterfully transformed a commercial space to embody the charm and warmth of Lily's entrepreneurial dream.

3. Hoboken’s Residential and Street Scenes

The charming, historic streets of Hoboken were extensively used to capture the residential and everyday scenes in the movie. Known for its old-school architecture and proximity to New York City, Hoboken provided the perfect backdrop for the characters' apartments and the emotional outdoor sequences. Specific street corners and local parks in this area were utilized throughout the filming process, helping to establish the New England atmosphere even though the geographical location was New Jersey.

The Difference Between Book Setting and Filming Location

The discrepancy between the novel's setting (Boston, Massachusetts) and the movie's filming location (New Jersey) is a fascinating element for fans and filmmakers alike. The production team’s challenge was to honor the spirit of the book's setting while working within the constraints of a major motion picture production.

Honoring the Boston Aesthetic

While the movie was filmed in the New York metropolitan area, the production design and cinematography were crucial in ensuring the locations felt like Boston. This involved careful set dressing, choosing specific angles that highlight the architectural similarities, and avoiding any overtly recognizable New Jersey landmarks that would break the illusion. The goal was to capture the essence of a major East Coast city with a distinct history and character, which Jersey City and Hoboken are well-equipped to provide.

The Fictional Town of Plethora, Maine

The book’s backstory for Lily includes a period in the fictional town of Plethora, Maine, which is crucial for her relationship with Atlas Corrigan. In the film, these scenes were not shot in Maine. Instead, the production team used smaller, more rural areas within New Jersey to convincingly portray the quaint, coastal New England town. This is yet another example of how the entire state of New Jersey was utilized for its versatility in landscape, successfully playing the role of multiple New England settings.

In the end, the movie’s success will rely on the powerful performances of Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Brandon Sklenar, and the emotional resonance of the story, not the street signs. However, knowing the real-life locations—from the bustling streets of Jersey City to the charming corners of Hoboken—offers a unique layer of appreciation for the creative efforts that went into bringing It Ends With Us from the page to the screen.

The Unexpected Truth: Where Was 'It Ends With Us' Filmed? (It's Not Boston!)
where was it ends with us filmed
where was it ends with us filmed

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