No Strings Attached is a 2011 romantic comedy starring Academy Award-winner Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher in the lead roles of a man and a woman that started to have casual sex with the clause of not falling in love with one another the two hit it on until they break up on either side because they start to fall romantically for one another.
Ivan Reitman’s movie is a cinematic journey that takes us all over the Mecca of films and entertainment: LaLa Land, Los Angeles, California. Not only does Reitman employ the talent of Portman and Kutcher to put on screen a couple of great characters, but Reitman and his crew take us on a cinematic tour of Los Angeles and its metro area’s nicest places.
Bear in mind that this was shot in the early 2010s, and the City of Los Angeles wasn’t as mired by the social problems of homelessness, crime, and poverty that it deals with today. Still, like all Hollywood and Los Angeles films, it delivers a magical romantic story through a bunch of different posh places that we’re going to explore today in this article.
Where Was No Strings Attached Filmed?
The entirety of this movie was shot on location all over the city of Los Angeles, California. This romantic story not only puts into scene Portman and Kutcher’s characters at the center stage, but it also makes the City of Los Angeles a protagonist with all of the exterior shots, as well as the establishments that Reitman and his crew rented to bring this film to life.
Los Angeles, California
The movie kicks off with a frat party scene filmed at South Harvard Boulevard in the historic West Adams District, an area known for its diverse architecture and cultural significance. This location sets the tone for the film’s intimate exploration of LA’s residential neighborhoods, where much of the film’s ambiance takes place as Kutcher and Portman go back and fro in LA’s nicest neighborhoods.
The Restaurants And Eateries In No Strings Attached
If you’ve seen this movie, you’ll notice that a lot of scenes take place all over Los Angeles’s restaurants, eateries, bakeries, and cafes. Since Kutcher and Portman are —sort of dating—, they often meet before they get it on at their apartments at some place to grab a bite. We see food joints like the House of Pies in Nt. Vermont Ave in Los Feliz, a district known for its nice eats, we also see scenes shot in another foodie district: West Third Street, which gives the movie its warm California vibes.
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Paramount Studios
You can’t make a movie about Los Angeles without touching the city’s cultural and cinematographic heritage. As such, the film also showcases LA’s entertainment industry. Some scenes were shot at Paramount Studios stages and its exteriors.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
As I wrote earlier, Reitman makes of Los Angeles, another protagonist in this film. The blossoming romance between Kutcher and Portman’s characters is depicted against the backdrop of the city’s landmarks, such as the Department of Transportation, where Adam asks Emma out, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Wilshire Boulevard. These locations infuse the film with a distinctly LA flavor, showcasing the city’s architectural diversity and cultural richness.
Sepulveda Boulevard & Westwood
Fun and leisure are also part of LA’s fabric, represented in the film by a scene filmed at the miniature golf course on Sepulveda Boulevard and the W Hotel in Westwood, the setting for a Christmas party. These locations offer a glimpse into the city’s recreational side, from its playful attractions to its upscale nightlife.
Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch
“No Strings Attached” also takes viewers beyond the city limits, with scenes filmed at Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch in Newhall and the Four Seasons Resort in Santa Barbara. These locations contribute to the film’s California ambiance, showcasing the state’s scenic beauty and luxury accommodations.
In conclusion, “No Strings Attached” serves as a love letter to Los Angeles, using its filming locations to tell a story that is as much about the city as it is about the characters. By showcasing LA’s landmarks, neighborhoods, and eateries, the film invites viewers to explore this vibrant city from the comfort of their homes, promising a cinematic journey that is both entertaining and enlightening.
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