This 1993 film, based on the true story of writer Tobias Wolff, follows the life of a rebellious teenager (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his mother (Ellen Barkin) as they move from town to town and eventually end up with Dwight (Robert De Niro) a small-town mechanic who they learn is not the nice guy he seems at first. The film brought attention to the tiny burg of Concrete, in the foothills of the North Cascades.
In the title sequence, we see Toby & Caroline crossing through Monument Valley in Utah, before finally settling in Salt Lake City.
1950s Salt Lake City was actually played by nearby Ogden, a popular spot for filming. As they arrive in town, they park on 25th Street - diagonally across from the Star Noodle Parlor at 225 25th Street.
The assay office was just down the street at 207 25th Street.
The busy street corner they walk around was the corner of 25th & Lincoln.
When they first move to Seattle, Toby and Caroline live in what is now the Les Gallery at 1479 Powell Street in Vancouver, BC. This was also featured in an episode of 21 Jump Street.
We are first introduced to the small town of Concrete, Washington as Dwight turns the corner from Highway 20 onto Superior Avenue and we see the old Portland Superior cement silo, the unofficial landmark of the town. The words "Welcome to Concrete" were painted on the structure for the film, and still remain.
Soon after Toby & Caroline's arrival, Dwight takes the whole family on a walk down Main Street.
They're on the south side of the street, walking east to west. The town's storefronts were redressed in a 1950s style, including the Concrete Theater.
"Chinook High School" where Toby goes was actually Concrete High School. This is the main entrance off Superior Avenue south of Hwy 20.
When Toby & Caroline finally free themselves from the town of Concrete, they celebrate on a bluff overlooking the town & the historic Henry Thompson Bridge. This must have been shot on private property on Baker River Road on the east side of the bridge.
M.I.A. Locations
Wall hangout (somewhere near the actual Capitol in SLC)
Dwight's house (alternate view)
Google Map
(see attachment below)