NJ Native Zach Braff's Film 'A Good Person' Premieres Friday: How To See It

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Director/actor Zach Braff's new film, "A Good Person," is different from his first film "Garden State" — but several of the Garden State's suburban towns take center stage in the drama, set to premiere in area theaters on Friday.

The 2-hour, 7-minute drama will have matinees and evening showings Friday at theaters including The Village Theater in South Orange, The Clairidge in Montclair, the Cranford Theater, and AMC Loews in East Hanover. Click here for the times at those and other theaters.

The movie was filmed entirely in Essex, Morris, Passaic, and Union counties in 26 days, said the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission this week.

"Written and directed by Braff, the movie tells the story of Allison, whose life falls apart following her involvement in a fatal accident," notes the Commission.

The movie stars Florence Pugh (whom Braff was dating until last year) and Morgan Freeman. Pugh's character is engaged, but her life changes in an instant when the car she's driving winds up in an accident that kills her would-be sister-in-law.

Braff became known as J.D. on TV's "Scrubs," then wrote and directed the Jersey-based romantic comedy "Garden State" in 2004. That movie was filmed on location in Cranford, Dumont, Mahwah, Morris Township, South Orange, Tenafly, and Wallington.

According to the state, North Jersey locations for the new film include: Columbia High School (Braff's alma mater) in Maplewood; the intersection of Mississippi and Harrison Avenue in West Orange; the Duck Pond, train station, and Prospect Street in South Orange; Colonial Pharmacy, Rabkin Drive, and Van Houten Avenue in Clifton; the now closed Pastime Bar in Elizabeth; Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, and Carmita Avenue in Rutherford.

Montclair State University was used as a basecamp for the filming of the movie, according to the Commission.

Killer Films and MGM, the producers, spent $11 million in New Jersey and hired 194 cast and
crew members for the filming, according to Michael Uslan, chairman of the Commission.

"A Good Person" is one of many projects that got a financial boost from the New Jersey Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, which offers a tax credit for productions filming in the state.

"In 2022, production work enhanced the local economy by more than $650 million and created thousands of jobs," saida release from the Commission.

“We’re thrilled that Zach Braff decided to shoot his third feature film in his home state, casting
New Jersey as the lead character,” said Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “Not only did many
towns enjoy an economic benefit from the filming of this project, they’re also benefiting from
the image enhancement of seeing familiar locations on the big screen.”

Read more about the film here.