Lost & Found in Cleveland AGAIN? Another Look Points Out Key Elements That Make This Film an Instant Classic

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Lost & Found in Cleveland may have arrived in theaters with the quiet charm of an indie film, but its resonance has been anything but subtle. Created by Marisa Guterman and Keith Gerchak, the film has become a cultural moment in Cleveland, marked not only by full screenings and widespread audience praise but also by the city itself. Terminal Tower lit up in tribute as Clevelanders turned out in large numbers for opening weekend.

The story follows five strangers whose lives intersect over the course of a single day when a televised antiques appraisal show arrives in the city. Set entirely in Cleveland, the film is not simply staged here, it is rooted in the city’s identity. From Playhouse Square to the West Side Market, the film’s real locations carry the weight of memory, familiarity, and emotional truth. The script uses these environments to explore themes of identity, connection, and rediscovery.

"We wanted Cleveland to be a character in the movie,” Guterman said in an interview with Spectrum News. “We really celebrate Cleveland and showcase it in a very cinematic way.”

The inspiration for the story came from Guterman’s personal history of watching antiques appraisal shows with her father. Yet the final work extends beyond sentiment, examining memory, loss, and the meaning we assign to the objects we keep. “Everyone has something they’re holding onto,” Guterman has said, a sentiment woven into each narrative thread.

Among the cast, Dennis Haysbert delivers a performance that many audiences have described as deeply personal and emotionally layered. According to production sources, Haysbert accepted the role immediately after reading the script, calling it the role he had always wanted to play. That knowledge adds dimension to his portrayal of Marty Anderson, a postal worker navigating long‑unspoken hopes and shifting expectations.

June Squibb and Stacy Keach portray a longtime married couple with a level of subtlety and familiarity that feels lived‑in. A scene in which Squibb applies lipstick quietly before a mirror has become one of the most discussed moments of the film. The score by Sven Faulconer supports moments like this carefully, offering emotional resonance without overpowering the performance. The film was edited by Tricia Holmes entirely out of state. Holmes told Cleveland 13 that even though she never set foot in the city, she easily fell in love with it and became intimately involved through the editing process.

For some cast members, the film served as a bridge between their Cleveland identity and their on‑screen presence. Kayla Royko, who appears in the film and is also a Cleveland 13 News affiliate reporter, described the experience of performing alongside Hollywood icons by saying, “It's surreal, you know, being from Cleveland and just having the opportunity to get to work with the people you actually see on TV.” After seeing the final cut, she said, “I'm glad it was Lost & Found in 'Cleveland'. There were so many references and so many things that were correct that I love it. I mean, I'm a Clevelander.”

Behind the scenes, the process of bringing the film to life was grounded in collaboration and long‑term commitment. Production assistant Matthew Barnhart, who worked closely with the directors toward the end of production, recalled the significance of the team’s dedication. “Working alongside those two and watching their baby come to fruition was really awe‑inspiring,” he said. He emphasized how the film captures the city’s personality, adding, “There's a charm to Cleveland that most other cities don't possess. It’s captured really well in the movie.”

Guterman described the emotional impact of returning to Cleveland for the premiere, surrounded by those who helped build the film from the ground up. “Each person was so important, and every detail was so important” she said. She reflected on discovering Cleveland as both a filmmaker and a new resident, saying, “Cleveland is the foundation of this film. I'm so proud to be a Clevelander. I really saw it so clearly, and I could fall in love with it.”

The film premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival in 2024, setting a record with more than 2,700 attendees at Playhouse Square. Its festival run, combined with steady word‑of‑mouth buzz, has led to continuing audience momentum. On Rotten Tomatoes, viewers have praised the film as “heartfelt,” “authentic,” and “unlike anything else this year.”

Funding for the production remained local and independent, including support from a Cleveland book club that believed in the project before its completion.

In a moment that symbolized the film’s connection to the city, Guterman noted, “They lit the Terminal Tower in honor of Lost and Found in Cleveland tonight. It’s really special.”

Beyond its Cleveland roots, the film reflects something universal; the threads that connect lives, the quiet emotional battles people face, and the unexpected ways we find one another.

More can be learned about the film, it's production and where to watch at www.LostAndFoundInCleveland.com

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