Are you heading to Boston?
Have a pre-trip binge on movies that were set and/or filmed there. It doesn’t really matter how many times you’ve seen it and if you can recite most lines. It’s just a fun thing to do to get you mentally prepared for your trip.
If you aren't planning a trip yet, you may be inspired to book your adventure to Boston. You can add some movie locations to your list of historic and cultural stops during your stay.
And there are a ton to choose from, but here is a Boston Movie Binge List of 10 favorites to get you started if you don’t already have a list.
Let me know if you have others on your list!
10. Boondock Saints
A crime thriller in which two brothers are called (after offing mafia members) to rid Boston of crime. Native Mark Wahlberg turned down the role as one of the brothers (in favor of Boogie Nights). Though it performed poorly in a limited release, it now has a massive cult following.
9. Shutter Island
A psychological thriller directed by Martin Scorsese (we’ll see him again!). In it, a US Marshall (played by Leonardo DiCaprio, we’ll see him again!) investigates the disappearance of a psychiatric patient on Shutter Island. Filmed around the state, a lot was done at the old Medfield State Hospital, 20 miles outside of the city.
8. Mystic River
Based on the novel by Bostonian, Dennis Lehane (also known for Shutter Island), and directed by Clint Eastwood. The film stars Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, and Tim Robbins as three friends navigating the death (murder) of one of their daughters. Penn and Robbins won Oscars for their roles.
7. Manchester by the Sea
This began as a brainstorm between local guys, John Krasinski (The Office) and Matt Damon, and centers on a handyman who becomes responsible for his nephew after his brother’s death. Damon was to lead, but due to a conflict, the role was passed to another Bostonian, Casey Affleck, who won an Oscar for it! As the name suggests, the bulk of filming was done north of Boston to include Manchester-by-the-Sea.
6. 21
Based on the novel Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich and adapted for film. In it, an MIT professor forms and coaches a blackjack team of six students. They study and excel at card counting and make a massive run(s) at the tables in Vegas. Partly filmed in Beantown (BU subbed for MIT where filming was not allowed) and the rest in Vegas. Fun fact – Vegas filming took place at Planet Hollywood, Red Rock Resort, and the Hard Rock (which has transformed into a Virgin Hotel).
5. Spotlight
An Oscar-winning film that handles sensitive material of the abuse scandal surrounding the Boston Catholic Archdiocese. The Boston Globe’s Spotlight (investigative) Team is at the center and played by ensemble cast of Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, and Brian d’Arcy James.
4. Good Will Hunting
A self-taught genius, recently out of jail, is serving as a janitor at Harvard at night. While tending to a classroom, he secretly (then not so) solves complicated math problems on the blackboard. After running into some trouble with the law, and to avoid jail time, he must study with that math professor and attend required psychotherapy with the prof’s friend. It is here where deep-rooted trauma and healing happen for Will Hunting (Matt Damon).
The therapist ... Robin Williams. Will’s crew of friends ... Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck and Rip Wheeler (er ... Cole Hauser circa red hair). Damon really did attend Harvard and wrote part of this for a final assignment in a playwriting class. He later brought in Affleck to develop the screenplay. Fun Fact – The character of Skylar - Will’s girlfriend played by Minnie Driver - was based on Damon’s (at the time) real-life girlfriend of the same name. Check the cred- its! They eventually split up and she married Lars Ulrich, the drummer for Metallica. So many good nuggets with this one!
3. The Town
Ben Affleck co-wrote, directed and starred in this film about four, scary masked, bank robbing friends living in Charlestown, Massachusetts. At the top, they rob and then briefly hold a bank manager, Claire, hostage. But (surprise!) they soon realize she lives in their area of town! Affleck’s character, Doug, follows her to get the scoop on her communication with authorities ... but of course, they fall for each other. Oh, and you Marvel fans, Catch Hawkeye, before he played ... Hawkeye. Jeremy Renner is one of the four friends.
2. Black Mass
The story of South Boston Irish mobster Whitey Bulger (one time Alcatraz resident and second to bin Laden on the FBI’s Most Wanted List) and how he became an informant for the FBI under agent John Connolly (a fellow South- ie resident). The two grow close and Whitey exploits his role as cover for his own crimes. Many scenes were shot where actual events (gruesome ones) took place in and around Boston. The ensemble cast led by Johnny Depp as Bulger is stellar and the book the movie is based on is worth the read. Rumor – it is said that Johnny Depp’s requests to chat were turned down by Bulger (who, by then, was caught and in prison). It’s also said that Bulger was deeply angered by the film. Random Fact – To complicate things, Bulger’s brother, Billy, was the President of the Massachusetts State Senate, then president of UMass. For obvious reasons, he resigned, but still lives in Southie!
1. The Departed
This film is loosely based on Whitey Bulger and his gang as above – with mob and police corruption at every turn. Frank Costello, played by Jack Nicholson, is based on Bulger and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) on John Connolly. Leonardo Dicaprio plays a cop, who is planted in Costello’s crew with the support of Captain Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Sergeant Dignam (Mark Wahlberg). This tale is epic and is Martin Scorsese’s only win for Best Director at the Oscars. Fun fact – though you can probably tell how the story ends, a sequel was once planned, then shelved. Fun tip – check out the soundtrack, it’s really good. And “Shipping up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphy’s, had to make it in one of these!
There you have it, your Boston Movie Binge List
There are many to choose from, but these 10 will get you started. And talk about great writers, directors, and actors in these, huh? Most of the actors didn’t even have to work with a dialect coach to nail the accent, they grew up with it!
Check some of these out and let me know what you think! Did I miss any that I should add to the list? Let me know in the comments!
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