Manufacturing: Principal photography for the movie began in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area on September 18, 2009. Town was chosen for its atmosphere, wealthy medical historical past, the state’s tax incentive program for film productions, and the area’s skilled crews. McCandless, Squirrel Hill, Fox Chapel, Sewickley, Aliquippa, and Brownsville have been used as areas for the movie, in addition to Mellon Arena, Jane Street within the South Side between 17th and 18th streets, the Omni William Penn Hotel, The Capital Grille, and Station Square. Pittsburgh doubled as Chicago for some scenes.A piece of the Mon-Fayette Expressway (Pennsylvania Route forty three) in Washington County was used for scenes on November 15-16, delaying traffic. A helicopter was used for filming and forty to 50 autos had been brought in for the shoot.Trailers and tents were set up on the campus of Ringgold High Faculty while filming occurred on the Expressway. An space was put aside for actors ready to film their scenes.
This film might have gone in any number of instructions, from reality-impressed farce to teary soap opera, but director and co-author Zwick retains dodging its many pitfalls, following a by way of-line that allows the film to be both funny and serious, because the event demands. The actors stroll that same tightrope with grace and charisma. They also up the ante for mainstream motion pictures by treating sex (and nudity) with refreshing, grown-up candor. The movie further advantages from a robust supporting cast together with such welcome and reliable performers as Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria, Judy Greer, and in just one scene, George Segal and the late Jill Clayburgh. The artist’s loft, coffee house, restaurants, late night cafes, medical offices and a glossy suburban home to a “pajama party” the place the movie takes place are all eye grabbers and Steven Fierberg’s cinematography does justice to these visually arresting locations. A lot is going on in almost every scene. Even an operating gag about a homeless man who digs drug samples out of a dumpster where Jamie throws his rival’s merchandise is damn funny.
In the long run, this is a sensible film that could have been smarter. The script feels like it was a draft or so away from whole clarity and focus. However the energy of the cast and a dive into an unfamiliar world make the film reasonably addictive.