The Secret: Dare to Dream, steered by the director Andy Tennant, is a romantic film based on The Secret, Rhonda Byrne’s best-selling novel. The story follows Miranda, played by Katie Holmes, a single mother who works at her boyfriend’s restaurant, played by Jerry O’Connell, and is struggling financially.
Her life tosses when she rear-ends Bray, a stranger played by Josh Lucas who has been searching for her to deliver an envelope. Bray is a breathing embodiment of the book and its principles, and his thoughts are about the impact of positive visualization and thinking.
Bray fixes her car, and when her roof gets destroyed because of bad weather, he tells her whatever happens, there’s always a reason behind it and fixes her roof, too.
She gets attracted to this stranger, but her boyfriend proposes to her for marriage, but she’s at a crossroads at this point. Then there’s an envelope that promises to change everything.
The events of this novel-adapted movie happen in an old-fashioned suburban neighborhood with a beautiful river in the background.
Every scene in the film, from the place where she works to her home, has a cozy atmosphere. With the positivity of the movie, which is increased by its peaceful set-up, the audience may wonder where the movie was filmed.
Where was The Secrets: Dare To Dream movie lensed?
The movie was filmed in and around the places in New Orleans, Louisiana. Major photography began in October 2018 and was completed in Dec 2018, with the finishing touches in June 2019.
Let’s take a closer look at all the spots that were used in the movie.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a culturally rich and colorful city located along the Mississippi River and has been an attractive location for filming movies for many filmmakers.
Its combination of history, picturesque buildings, and diversified community offers an unmatchable slate for storytelling with the help of a camera.
From the mystical bayous to its iconic French Quarter, New Orleans is a place that gives quality to the screenplay and the characters.
The film producers felt that the working class people were not well represented in the movie, and because of that, they filmed It on the North Shore.
Six Years in Making
The movie took six years to make before the final curtain in 2020. The filming was done in a month, but the producers waited a long time for everything to align perfectly.
Talking about the author of the sourcebook, Rhonda said she and her team knew that there would be a Secret movie at some point, other than the documentary. They were just unaware of what shape it takes.
She was there on the set when the filming was going on and added that everything happens for the right reason, with Andy approaching the team and giving a great screenplay with huge inspiration.
Other Filming Locations
But that doesn’t mean that the filming crew ignored top locations in New Orleans. In a scene where Bray was jogging the streets, we saw a glimpse of Hotel Maison De Ville, which was a historic spot with a courtyard, but it has now been closed.
The hotel is situated in Vieux Carré or the French Quarter, the vibrant heart of the city with iron balconies and lively nightlife.
The old-fashioned 18th-century architecture of the hotel was used in some scenes of the movie, with Bray sipping coffee in the courtyard and Sloane passing her the mail that had recently arrived.
Later in the night scenes, the French Quarter is alive, filled with tourists, lit-up lights, and open shop signs.
The lakeside restaurant where Miranda worked was shown using Middendorf’s Manchav, 30160, Akers. The restaurant has been the epitome of seafood, famous for its catfish and beautiful lakeside view.
I’m certain the Lakeview drew the filmmaker’s attention. Manchan is an unorganized community in Tangipahoa Parish. Check out the movie if you like positive vibes and how certain actions reflect in your life.