A brief look at movies shot in Wellesley as well as those in which Wellesley plays a role:
(Ones we’ve missed? Let us know: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com)
(2019) Knives Out: The circumstances surrounding the death of crime novelist Harlan Thrombey are mysterious, but there’s one thing that renowned Detective Benoit Blanc knows for sure — everyone in the wildly dysfunctional Thrombey family is a suspect. Scenes in the movie include drives through Natick Center, though much of the action takes place in a mansion, the exterior of which is the privately-owned Hill Hurst mansion that once belonged to Hollis Hunnewell and that sits not far off Pond Road and Lake Waban (Knives Out being shot in Wellesey).
(2017) The Leisure Seeker: A far-away American town gets to pretend it’s Wellesley in an upcoming feature film, The Leisure Seeker, starring Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland. The movie is about a retired Wellesley couple who decides to coax the old Winnebago out of the garage and onto the open road for one last hurrah of a road trip.
(2017) We Don’t Belong Here: Drama about dysfunctional family, starring Catherine Keener and Anton Yelchin, shot in part at Elm Bank Reservation, including on the Cheney Bridge. Originally called The Greens are Gone.
(2017): Thoroughbred: Murder mystery set in Connecticut, but filmed in part in Wellesley Square. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin, Olivia Cooke.
(2017) Daddy’s Home 2: Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell return in this comedy sequel that was shot in part at E.A. Davis in Wellesley Square.
(2016) Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War: Documentary co-directed by Ken Burns and Sherborn’s Artemis Joukowsky III, tells the story of the mission by Rev. Waitstill Sharp and his wife, Martha, to rescue hundreds Jewish refugees and political dissidents in Europe before and during World War II. The reason we’re bringing this to your attention is that Rev. Sharp was the minister at the Unitarian church in Wellesley.
(2010) The Company Men: Drama about young men surviving a corporate downsizing. Filmed in part in Cliff Estates area of Wellesley, which was the site of fake snow in some scenes. Starring Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper.
(2009) Ghosts of Girlfriends Past: Rom-Com starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Emma Stone & Michael Douglas, about a serial womenizer haunted by his past flames. Filmed in part at Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley, including at the old Manor House.
(2003) Mona Lisa Smile: Julia Roberts stars in this story, set and filmed partly at Wellesley College, about women’s choices in the 1950s. Wellesley College’s president at the time issued the most Wellesley of messages regarding the movie and its portrayal of Wellesley College after its release.
