Voicemails for Isabelle: A Director’s Love Letter to San Francisco Leah McKendrick’s new Netflix film Voicemails for Isabelle centers on Jill, a pastry chef portrayed by Zoey Deutch, whose life unravels after her sister and best friend Isabelle dies. Seeking solace, Jill begins leaving voicemails on Isabelle’s old phone number, unaware it has been reassigned to Wes, a man played by Nick Robinson. Their connection forms when Wes, captivated by Jill’s messages, tracks her down, leading to a poignant meeting on a bench overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. The film’s setting in San Francisco, McKendrick’s hometown, is central to its emotional core. McKendrick, who was born in San Francisco and grew up in the Inner Richmond neighborhood, described the bench scene as deeply personal. “There’s nowhere like San Francisco,” she told SFGATE over Zoom. “My hope with the bench is that she’s looking at this beautiful, iconic sparkling city, but she’s removed because she’s somewhere between heaven, where her sister is, and the real world and life happening.” She emphasized the Golden Gate Bridge as a symbolic crossroads, where moments of life unfold—from engagements to commutes to workouts. Filming in San Francisco was a priority for McKendrick, despite the city’s high costs. Production primarily took place in Vancouver, but the team managed to shoot in several iconic locations, including Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Lombard Street, the Haight, Ghirardelli Square, Chinatown, and the Palace of Fine Arts. McKendrick also filmed near her parents’ home, with her family appearing as extras on a tour bus. “It was all just a dream,” she said. The film’s setting reflects McKendrick’s deep connection to San Francisco’s cultural diversity.#san_francisco #leah_mckendrick #zoey_deutch #nick_robinson #golden_gate_bridge
