Movies Filmed in the Twin Cities

Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota have a stereotype for being the home of over a million sing-songy, overly polite Minnesotans who eat hot dishes and lutefisk all day long. Being a resident of the twin cities, I know this to be far from the truth. Still, I've realized that these stereotypes had to come from somewhere. I blame all movies filmed in Minneapolis and St. Paul. There are several great movies filmed in and set in Minnesota and their portrayals of Minnesotans have influenced how they are viewed by those living elsewhere. Here are three favorite movies filmed in the twin cities.

A Prairie Home Companion

This is my personal favorite of all the movies filmed in Minnesota, because it is based on the radio show known as "A Prairie Home Companion" which is near and dear to my heart. That being said, both the radio and the movie version of A Prairie Home Companion perpetuate Minnesota stereotypes more than any other movie filmed in the twin cities, with the possible exception of Fargo. The Minnesota movie was mostly filmed in the Fitzgerald Theater, which is the home base for the radio version of A Prairie Home Companion. It is loosely based on what goes on behind the scenes of the radio show. Well-known names from this movie include Meryl Streep, Linsay Lohan, Tommy Lee Jones, and of course, Garrison Keillor, the creator of A Prairie Home Companion.

The Mighty Ducks

This Minnesota movie is a favorite with hockey fans. It does provide a typical image of Minnesota as a wintry setting where everyone plays hockey (strangely enough, this is how Minnesotans view Canadians). Still, The Mighty Ducks is a very entertaining Minnesota movie. A few cool tidbits about The Mighty Ducks:

-Mike Modano, Cam Neely, Wayne Gretsky and several other famous hockey players made cameo appearances in this Minnesota movie.

-Although the movie was filmed in and set in Minnesota, it led to the formation of the NHL hockey team known as the Anaheim Ducks.

-South Park made a spoof of The Mighty Ducks in 2006

Fargo

As I mentioned earlier, this Minnesota movie is easily the main culprit in forming a highly inaccurate representation of Minnesotans. Despite the film's title, most of the movie was filmed in various twin cities locations, including Stillwater, Mahtomedi, Richfield, Chanhassan, and even the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. I love that the movie was set in several suburbs that I visit frequently, but I cringe each time I hear "ya" and "you bet" (roughly three times per sentence). Sadly, many people now think we talk like this, despite the clear sarcasm and parody elements of the Minnesota movie.

Fargo, A Prairie Home Companion and The Mighty Ducks are twin cities based movies that perpetuate several annoying Minnesota stereotypes. Still, I can't help but falling in love again with these movies and the state they were filmed in every time I see them.