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Films of the fifty states: Montana to New Jersey
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Fly-fishing abounds in Montana
From Rocky Mountain forrests to amber waves of grain to desert casinos to the Jersey Shore, this next set of films takes you a whirlwind tour of America. From Montana to New Jersey, America abounds with films.
Montana
In the state of Montana, beautiful scenery and wildlife are just some of the sights you might find. The 1992 Robert Redford film A River Runs Through It is about two fisherman sons of a Presbyterian minister growing up against the beautiful backdrop of Montana. The film stars Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, and Tom Skerritt and was based on an autobiographical story by Norman Maclean.
In Legends of the Fall, the Western depicts the lives of three brothers trying to survive in the Montana backwoods in the early 1900s. Starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn, and Julia Ormond, the film was mostly filmed in Canada.
The 1989 film Always is about a legendary daredevil pilot and the love of his life, set and filmed in Montana. The film features Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, Brad Johnson, John Goodman, and Audrey Hepburn in her final screen role. The film is a remake of the 1943 film A Guy Named Joe and was directed by Steven Spielberg.
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High school elections just like the real ones
Nebraska
Though one might not expect it, Nebraska has a wide range when it comes to film. Based on the book by Louis Begley, the 2002 film About Schmidt takes place in Omaha. Jack Nicholson plays Warren Schmidt a recently widowed and retired insurance actuary who must come to terms with the life he has wasted while on a road trip to his daughter's (Hope Davis) marriage to a man he doesn't like. Kathy Bates and Dermot Mulroney also star in the film.
The film Election is about the complicated lives and ploys of teachers and students at a small Nebraska high school during the year's student body president elections. Reese Witherspoon plays Tracy Flick, a good-two-shoes on the outside determined to win on the inside teen running for office. Tracy also happens to be having an affair with one of her teachers. Matthew Broderick is a teacher who is having trouble with his wife and convinces football superstar Paul (Chris Klein) to run against Tracy. Then Paul's lesbian sister Tammy (Jessica Campbell) runs against her brother as revenge for him stealing her girlfriend.
Oscar-winning film Boys Don't Cry follows Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank) a transgender teen as he makes his way to Nebraska, looking for love and acceptance. He begins dating local beauty Lana (Chloë Sevigny) and is accepted as one of the guys. But Brandon is really female Teena Brandon, a dangerous secret that continues to haunt him. The film is based on the real life story and death of Teena Brandon.
For a frightening Nebraska-based horror film, check out Children of the Corn, based on the novel by Stephen King. Starring Linda Hamilton, the film is about a mysterious boy preacher who arrives in Gatlin, Nebraska and convinces the town's children to murder all of the adults. A young couple comes to the town and tries to report the activity before they become victims themselves.
Elvis and Ann-Margaret in Viva Las Vegas
Nevada
We move on to Nevada, where Las Vegas is the dominate theme among films. The 1995 Martin Scorsese film Casino is about two mobsters (Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci) and a golddigger (Sharon Stone) battling for control of a gaming empire. The film also features James Woods and Don Rickles. Another mobster tie-in film is Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather Part II where Michael (Al Pacino) tries to keep the crime family afloat out West. Whether you watch the original Frank Sinatra version or the current George Clooney hit, Ocean's Eleven is a great film about the innerworkings of Las Vegas.
In Leaving Las Vegas, Nicolas Cage plays a failed Hollywood writer who comes to Vegas for one last horaah before he kills himself he meets working girl Sera (Elisabeth Shue) who helps him out. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a now cult movie based on the semi-autobiographical novel by gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. Directed by Terry Gilliam, the film stars Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro.
More uplifting and family oriented films based in Nevada include Viva Las Vegas, the film that made the legendary Elvis Presley fall in love with Vegas and the vivacious Ann-Margret. From the National Lampoons franchise comes Vegas Vacation, in which Clark (Chevy Chase) and Ellen Griswold (Beverly D'Angelo) take the kids to the casinos, the Hoover Dam, and to visit Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid).
The poster says it all.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire may not have the glitter of Vegas, but it has some great films. The 2006 film Live Free Or Die is about a group of demotivated criminals trying to pull off heists in the Granite State. The film stars Aaron Stanford, Paul Schneider, Michael Rapaport, Zooey Deschanel, and Judah Friedlander.
The Hotel New Hampshire is about the Berry family, a group of odd balls, who turn an abandoned girls' school into a hotel. The film follows the many ups and downs the family experience and the tight bonds that keep them together. The film stars Rob Lowe, Jodie Foster, Paul McCrane, Beau Bridges, Lisa Banes, Jennifer Dundas, and Seth Green.
The comedic film What About Bob? takes place at a New Hampshire summer home. Directed by Frank Oz, the film stars Richard Dreyfuss as a psychiatrist trying to get a break from his overbearingly neurotic patient, played by Bill Murray. The doctor is tired of Bob, but he seems to be the only one who wants rid of him.
Kevin Smith's first film and first film set in NJ
New Jersey
To the south, New Jersey offers tons of films as well. Director Kevin Smith is famed for setting his films in his native state. Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma and Jersey Girl are all set or feature New Jersey prominently. Also set in New Jersey is the stoner flick Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, a title that truly delivers what it promises. The film stars John Cho and Kal Penn with an awe-inspiring cameo by Neil Patrick Harris as himself.
Written, directed by, and staring another New Jersey native, Zach Braff hit the indie big time with his film Garden State. The film is about a reclusive man starring on a moderately succesful TV show who returns home for his mother's funeral in New Jersey to spend time with the family he hasn't spoken to in years. While there, he meets a beautiful girl (Natalie Portman) who helps to change his views on life.
If you're into more mafia themed films, check out Atlantic City, about small town gangster Lou (Burt Lancaster) who's girlfriend (Susan Sarandon) turns him into the mafia kingpin he always wanted to be for her own ends.
So, whether you're into casinos, horror flicks, family films, or just watching the scenery of your favorite state, there's plenty to see when America is on film!
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