From New Jersey to your screen: “Sweethearts” streams on Max

Sweethearts is a new comedy streaming on HBO Max, filmed last year across several locations in New Jersey. The movie beautifully showcases various cities in the Garden State, including Cranford, Edison, West Orange, Lyndhurst, Elmwood Park, Paterson, and Clifton (though the names are all changed for the sake of the film). This partnership was made possible by the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, which is helping bring high-end productions back to the Garden State. 

Iconic spots like Cranford Theater, Délice Macarons, Eastman Clock Plaza, the football field at Edison High School, and the West Orange Fire Station No. 3 all played key roles in bringing this rom-com to life. Additional filming locations included the Colonial Diner in Lyndhurst, Parkway Lanes bowling alley in Elmwood Park, Duffy’s Tavern in Paterson, and the UFCW Local 1262 headquarters in Clifton. While most spots in the movie are fictitious, you can absolutely clock all the New Jersey influences in this Jordan Weiss and Dan Brier film. I even recognized the dorm walls — trust me they were here!

Sweethearts follows two best friends, played by the charming Kiernan Shipka and talented Nico Hiraga, as they prepare to dump their respective partners over Thanksgiving break. Though together since high school, the time apart has taught the two how toxic their partners truly are. They bring out the worst in them or hold them back, making their college lives less than fun.

The friends agree to cut their romantic cords to grow, a lesson so many college-sent folks learn the hard way. The film does a great job at making the stresses of long-distance dating funny, balancing the rehearsed breakup into a fucked up yet empowering decision. Every scene was a joy to see, from Hiraga’s chill skating skills around a familiar New Jersey campus to the chaotic comedy Shipka brought to the frat house scene. 

Relationships are tested by long distances and diverging life paths. This is true about who we love, both romantically and platonically. Sweethearts accurately depicts how love, sex, and messy emotions unfold over that first semester apart. The writers absolutely nailed the eternal college truths, like people obsessed with Dance Marathon or the chaos of having a fratty roommate who loves to borrow your car without asking.

10/10 for its realistic depiction of New Jersey collegiate hell. Great job, and it’s not triggering at all!  And the fall vibes of the movie make it a wonderful autumn watch. It’s a great movie for when you’re back with friends on your holiday break — hopefully, no chaotic pre-planned breakups will go down.

The film boasts a really funny cast, including Caleb Hearon, a hilarious actor, writer, and comedian. If your algorithm likes you, you’ve likely seen clips from his podcast So True or viral posts. Every line Hearon delivers as the newly out gay best friend earned a gut-wrenching laugh. Observations on straight people fly a mile a minute, all golden. He’s like the gay cousin you can’t wait to see every Thanksgiving, he brings a familiarity that your funniest friend wishes they had. 

Some people are made to make folks laugh, and that is Hearon. On the Sweethearts press tour, he’s been making Sound of Music references in interviews and was jokingly called out by his co-star for being a bit of a playboy — a title he hilariously embraces! His journey from online stardom to the big screen inspires comedy creators everywhere. Hearon’s advice to “be ready when opportunity knocks” clearly paid off.

Caleb Hearon’s character Palmer brings a heartwarming subplot to life. After finding a mentor in an older gay man, he’s reassured in his identity and discovers a sense of community. He even joins a gay bowling league! His story touches on the loneliness that many queer kids feel in suburban towns, making him both relatable and authentic. The cherry on top? Joel Kim Booster appears as a kind, older gay firefighter, delivering a delightful performance.

Adding to the excitement, Sweethearts features a member of New Jersey royalty: Jake Bongiovi, Jon Bon Jovi’s son, also has a role in the film.

Sweethearts is a fun, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud movie that offers something for everyone. We hope Caleb Hearon and the rest of the cast had a blast filming in New Jersey — they certainly brought a lot of joy to the screen. Give it a watch and see how many local spots you recognize.