Hollywood in Bergen County: Susan Sarandon and William H. Macy Film New Indie Drama in Ridgewood
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The streets of Ridgewood, New Jersey, were transformed into a bustling movie set this week as residents spotted major Hollywood A-listers filming on location. Production crews took over parts of South Broad Street, Chestnut Street, and East Ridgewood Avenue to shoot scenes for an upcoming independent drama titled Exit Right.
The film boasts a star-studded cast featuring Academy Award-winner Susan Sarandon (Maybe I Do), Emmy-winner William H. Macy (Shameless, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), and Marcia Cross (Desperate Housewives, You).
Here is what we know about the production turning heads in the Village and a sneak peek at the moving story behind the film.
What is ‘Exit Right’ About?
Exit Right marks the narrative feature debut of veteran documentary filmmaker Thomas A. Morgan, who is directing from his own original script for London-based Garrick Street Productions and Square Zero Films.
The movie is a deeply emotional, bittersweet drama centering on Jan Randall (played by Sarandon), a retired, fiercely independent journalist facing a terminal, inoperable brain cancer diagnosis. Because of her illness, Jan develops an intense, claustrophobic fear of being trapped inside. Refusing to spend her final days confined to a hospital bed on heavy medication, she makes the unconventional choice to move into a tent in her own backyard.
Determined to give his wife one last extraordinary gift, her practical husband John (played by Macy) takes her on a “trip around the world”—entirely on foot, right inside the borders of their own hometown.
Character Breakdown: Meet the Stars
The dynamic between the characters promises an intense, heartfelt exploration of love, family conflict, and mortality:
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Susan Sarandon as Jan Randall: Adventurous, confident, and highly articulate. A celebrated former journalist who brings immense passion, style, and humanity into her final days.
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William H. Macy as John Randall: A recently retired accountant from a furniture company. John is the polar opposite of Jan—his life is tidy, risk-averse, highly practical, and his favorite color is beige. Yet, his quiet devotion drives the central journey of the film.
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Marcia Cross as Monica Freeman: Jan’s estranged sister. Monica is deeply skeptical of John’s backyard odyssey and is determined to step in to force her sister into traditional, comfortable modern medical care.
Ridgewood as the Perfect Cinematic Backdrop
With its picturesque downtown, historic architecture, and tree-lined avenues, the Village of Ridgewood is a frequent favorite for location scouts looking for classic, vibrant American hometown settings.
Local onlookers caught glimpses of production equipment, cameras, and trailers lined up along East Ridgewood Avenue, sparking massive excitement across local social media circles.
Exit Right is being produced by Ed Glauser through Garrick Street Productions, with both Susan Sarandon and William H. Macy serving as executive producers alongside Lawrence Aldridge and Michael Shyjka.
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Did Susan Sarandon bring her keffiyeh army with her??
sounds horrible