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
Voicemails for Isabelle Netflix’s rom-com Voicemails for Isabelle arrives as a heartfelt and surprisingly effective entry in the genre, balancing predictable tropes with genuine emotional resonance. The film, directed by Leah McKendrick, follows Jill (Zoey Deutch) and her sister Isabelle (Ciara Bravo), whose bond is tested by Isabelle’s illness and eventual passing. After Isabelle’s death, Jill clings to their shared voicemails, a digital lifeline that becomes the catalyst for a new romance. The story unfolds as Jill, an aspiring chef, continues to leave voicemails for her late sister, unaware that her messages are being intercepted by Wes (Nick Robinson), a real estate executive who inherits Isabelle’s old phone number. Wes, grappling with his own failed relationships, becomes intrigued by Jill’s voicemails, leading to a series of comedic and tender encounters. The film cleverly mirrors the structure of Nora Ephron’s You’ve Got Mail, using the medium of communication—this time voicemails—to drive the narrative and foster connection. McKendrick’s screenplay blends humor, romance, and pathos, with Jill’s grief and Wes’s vulnerability forming the emotional core. The film’s tone shifts seamlessly between broad comedy and heartfelt moments, particularly in scenes where Jill’s interactions with Chef Bastien (Nick Offerman) and her narcissistic colleague Arthur (Lukas Gage) provide levity. The standout performance comes from Deutch, who masterfully navigates Jill’s emotional journey, balancing her grief with moments of self-discovery. Robinson, meanwhile, brings a quiet charm to Wes, whose internal conflict between honesty and hesitation adds depth to their evolving relationship.#netflix #ciara_bravo #leah_mckendrick #zoey_deutch #nick_robinson
