“Big Bang Theory” actress and current “Jeopardy” host Mayim Bialik’s directorial debut ‘As They Made Us’ is a family drama that ticks all the family-drama boxes, from strained relationships to divorce from post-divorce dating to end-of-life care Dianna Agron, Candice Bergen, Simon Helberg, and two-time Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman are among the stellar ensemble cast members. “As They Made Us” was released on on-demand on April 8.
It depicts Abigail (Agron), a newly divorced mother trying to raise her two children while caring for her father, Eugene (Hoffman), who has a degenerative disease that makes it difficult for him to walk and move around. Barbara (Candice Bergen), Eugene’s wife, is in denial and lashes out at physicians and carers as his mind and body decline. Abigail’s estranged brother Nathan, who she tries to reconnect with before their father’s death, is played by Simon Helberg, Bialik’s “Big Bang” co-star. The film employs flashbacks to demonstrate how Eugene and Barbara’s tumultuous marriage, combined with Nathan’s adolescent rebellion, led to the family’s current instability. The story takes place in both urban and suburban settings, with a few flashbacks to the past thrown in for good measure. Some viewers, on the other hand, say the film’s portrayal of a dysfunctional family is highly realistic. fans are curious to know wheater is it based on a true story and where the movie was shot? Allow us to delve further if you’re trying to figure out the truth.
Is Bialik’s ‘As They Made Us’ a True Story?
‘As They Made Us,’ is not based on a genuine story. Mayim Bialik directed the film, which she wrote herself, and Jonathan Cohen worked as a narrative editor. Bialik was reportedly motivated by her own family while working on the story. In an interview, the legendary actress revealed her family’s history of mental problems. Despite the fact that both sides of Bialik’s family had signs of mental decline, it was rarely discussed within the family. Bialik drew inspiration from a variety of filmmakers, including Greta Gerwig (‘Lady Bird’) and Eliza Hittman (‘Never Rarely Sometimes Always,’) and incorporated elements of her favorite directors into the story. When all of the pieces were in place, the story’s compelling mood was born. As a result, despite the fact that the people and occurrences are fictional, the film is remarkably realistic in all of its nooks and crannies.
Bialik comes from a family of filmmakers and artists. For her stint on ‘Jeopardy!,’ she chose the National Alliance on Mental Illness as her charity. While she was motivated by her family’s status and her experiences growing up in the Jewish diaspora, she was also interested in learning more about a widely discussed social phenomenon. Bialik intended to convey a sibling relationship in which one child is more concerned about the family than the other. She wanted to learn more about the perilous path that awaits the sister who chooses to stay. She also talked about working with Simon Helberg, her co-star on ‘The Big Bang Theory.’
Where is filmed As They Made Us Movie?
‘As They Made Us’ was shot entirely in the United States, particularly in and around New Jersey. Principal photography reportedly began in the spring of 2021 and was completed by the end of the summer of that year. Aside from the appealing eco-geography, New Jersey offers a generous tax credit incentive package to entice filmmakers and producers to the state. The film’s cinematographer is David Feeney-Mosier, who served as the second unit director of photography on ‘Lady Bird.’ On the other hand, acclaimed production designer Jourdan Henderson, whose art direction for films like ‘Manchester By The Sea’ and ‘Fatherhood’ received critical acclaim, joined the project. Now, let us take you to the specific locations where the film was shot!
New Jersey’s Bergen County
The majority of the filming took place in and around Bergen County, New Jersey’s most populous county, which is located in the state’s northeastern corner. Several local businesses benefited from the crew’s filming in and around the county. The director satisfied her hunger while filming in the area by eating the state’s delectable food. She paid a visit to the kosher establishment Kosher Nosh Deli Restaurant & Catering, which is located at 894 Prospect Street in Glen Rock, Bergen County. We’re not sure if the crew shot any sequences there, though.
Bialik also paid a visit to Dana’s Bakery in Bergen County, which is recognized for its unique take on traditional French cuisine. The bakery is known for its specialty, macarons, and is located at 69 Wesley Street in the Gansevoort Market section of the tranquil community of South Hackensack. The co-stars and crew members posted a number of behind-the-scenes images with their social media followers, albeit they were not always willing to keep track of the team’s exact positions.
