The 1999 romantic comedy, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, utilized several charming small towns in Maryland, including Berlin, which stood in for the fictional town of Hale, Maryland. Additional scenes were captured in nearby towns such as New Market, and portions of the production also took place in surrounding areas.
Choosing these locations provided the film with a picturesque, small-town Americana aesthetic crucial to its narrative. This setting, far removed from the hustle and bustle of major cities, enhanced the film’s themes of community, tradition, and finding oneself. The locations subsequently experienced a boost in tourism, as fans sought to visit the real-life backdrops of their favorite scenes. This phenomenon demonstrates the significant impact film production can have on local economies and communities.