A-lister Ben Affleck is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to film the thriller “Gone Girl” with director David Fincher. The film is sticking close to details in the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn. Originally, the film was scheduled to be in town for two weeks, but now they plan to be in town for six weeks.
Green trees and sunny blue skies are a stark contrast to the snowy scene designed for the film Gone Girl. photo: Patsy Bell Hobson.
The book takes place in North Carthage, Missouri. For readers who are familiar with the Missouri Ozarks, it’s easy to see this story happening in Cape Girardeau.
Gone Girl is one of the best books in 2012. Flynn’s disturbing story of a relationship gone really wrong is gripping. It’s hard to put the book down.
The tale of Nick and Amy Dunne’s difficult marriage is told as a he-said, she-said story. The book follows the disappearance of Amy on their fifth wedding anniversary. Her unemotional husband, Nick, has used her money to start a bar business has increased her insurance.
Nick is suspected of murdering his wife. We discover in the second half of the book that Amy is alive and hiding in the Ozarks. We also find out Nick is having an affair making him more suspect.
After Amy is robbed and out of money, she moves in with an old acquaintance. Hiding in the friends home, Amy begins to feel trapped. She murders her old friend and returns home saying she was kidnapped and forced to kill her old friend. Nick knows she is a murderer but chooses to stay with her because she is pregnant.
Nick opens a bar, The Bar, using the last Amy’s trust fund. He runs the bar with his twin sister Margo. photo: Patsy Bell Hobson
The movie is the talk of the town. This must be the most photographed courthouse, half the lawn is covered with “snow” and half the courthouse lawn is green and needs mowing. A steady trickle of gawkers with iPods is walking by all day.
If you are patient, you can get a photo of the set without a fellow gawker/photographer in the shot. Or, you can do that neighborly midwest thing and offer to take a picture of each other with their own camera. “Want me to take a picture of you in front of the fake snow bank?”
Filming in Cape has been a boost to the economy. The movie people need housing and food, extras have been hired locally. Curiosity seekers are watching from a distance.
Where to stay – My favorite B&B is Rose Bed Inn B&B and Conference Center.
Circa 1908, Rose Bed Inn’s Victorian–styled brick home features original woodwork and many other opulent touches. The Inn has a total of 16 individually unique rooms and is just a few minutes away from the city’s historic Riverfront District. (Where they are shooting the movie!)
Chef James serves a full breakfast every morning, plus homemade granola, freshly ground and brewed house-blend coffee. Free phone and wi-fi. In addition to an extraordinary room, the gardens and out door areas are beautifully landscaped and meticulously groomed.
B&B details – Rose Bed Inn, 611 South Sprigg Street, 573-332-7673, 866-767-3233
Cape Girardeau is the home town of Drury Hotels. They have three hotels in town, Drury Lodge, Drury Suites and, Pear Tree Inn. This is where the extras aren’t extra.
Included in the price, breakfast, happy hour and a limited free food service in the evenings. Also included, free wifi and long distance calling, pop corn, soft drinks.
Drury details – A trio of Drury Hotels to choose from.
- Drury Suites: 3303 Campster Dr, Cape Girardeau, MO (573) 339-9500.
- Drury Lodge -104 Vantage Dr, Cape Girardeau, MO (573) 334-7151.
- Pear Tree Inn – 3248 William St, Cape Girardeau, MO (573) 334-3000
Make reservations at any of the three by going to their website: druryhotels.com
Fresh cut fries and a made to order burger. Choose either beef or turkey. photo: PBH
Where to eat – This is easy. Just tell chef James what you are in the mood to eat and he will make a suggestion. He will even call in reservations for you. Or, you can dine at the Rose Bed Inn with a 24 hour notice for either lunch or dinner.
This little town is buzzing with food chain options like Bagger Daves (a regional chain) with fresh cut fries, amazing turkey and black bean chili and burgers made with any combo of condiments you can image. The fries are always served hot from the fryer within the same minute they were done. Service is always excellent. They have more TVs in this bar than I have rooms in my house.
About Cape Girardeau, Missouri, USA – The largest town in Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau is also college town. See Southeast Missouri State University for more information.
Cape Girardeau is located on the Mississippi River, about 115 miles (185 km) southeast of St. Louis and 175 miles (282 km) north of Memphis.
“Escape to Cape” for more Cape Girardeau Tourism. Filming in Cape has been a boost to the economy. The movie people need housing and food extras have been hired locally. Curiosity seekers are watching from a distance.
Coordinates: 37°18′33″N 89°32′47″W
