News

Rockport expected to say 'I do' to Disney's 'Proposal'

By Jonathan L'Ecuyer
Staff writer
Published: March 25, 2008

ROCKPORT — It's been five years since Rockport's rugged coastline and quaint downtown shops have served as a backdrop for a major Hollywood production. But selectmen are expected to reach a deal with Walt Disney Pictures next week that would return Rockport to the silver screen next year.

"We haven't agreed to anything yet, negotiations are ongoing and it would have to go to the Board of Selectmen," said Town Administrator Michael Racicot yesterday. "But, at this point they want to film April 9 and 10 and April 14 through 18, seven days in all."

"The Proposal," a romantic comedy from director Anne Fletcher and starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Betty White, Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson, is in pre-production and tentatively set to open in theaters in September 2009.

According to a plot outline on the Internet Movie Data Base Web site, the film is about a pushy female boss who forces her young assistant to marry her in order to keep her visa status in the United States and avoid deportation to Canada.

According to Selectman Armand Aparo, the production wants to film on Bearskin Neck and on Main Street.

It would be a boost to the local economy.

"To have another movie is great," Aparo said yesterday. "People will want to come down and have a chance to view the stars. It's good for business and a good time of year because it won't be too congested."

Racicot is expected to join Police Chief Thomas McCarthy and others in a meeting with Disney executives today at 1 p.m.

McCarthy said a discussion regarding the need for police details will certainly be on the agenda.

"It could take any number of police officers, depending on what they need," McCarthy said yesterday. "It depends on how big the area is and what they're trying to achieve.

"The circus only comes to town every now and then, so we generally don't have a problem filling (details)," McCarthy added. "You won't get any complaints from (us), it is kind of fun meeting the different people. Generally, when they make movies in Rockport, it benefits the town. There are a lot of people who come down to see certain actors and actresses, they shop in our stores and eat in our restaurants."

Racicot said the production company pays to keep public safety personnel and vehicles on the scene at all times in addition to offering a good will donation of sorts for use of the town.

"We ask for a donation and then tailor the money to one of our local causes," Racicot said.

Manchester is also in negotiations with the film company.

The last film shot in Rockport — 2003's "Stuck on You", starring Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear — from 20th Century Fox, gave $5,000 to Rockport, which selectmen used to renovate Boy Scout Hall.

Before "Stuck on You", the last movie shot in Rockport was "The Love Letter" in 1999, a dramatic comedy starring Ellen DeGeneres, Kate Capshaw and Tom Selleck.

"We have to come up with a location agreement first," Racicot said. "But they want to make it happen and we think it's a good thing for the town economically; the pride of seeing our town in a major movie is always very exciting."

Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.