In 'Paper Man,' there's no stand-in for Montauk

In movies these days, chances are good that the location - whether Chicago or Seattle or Paris - is actually Vancouver. So it's nice to see that the new indie drama "Paper Man," set largely on Long Island's East End, was largely filmed there, too.

Opening April 23, "Paper Man" stars Jeff Daniels as a struggling novelist holed up in an isolated Montauk cottage. His wife (Lisa Kudrow) tries to give him space, although his imaginary childhood playmate, Captain Excellent (Ryan Reynolds), keeps distracting him. But the author soon finds a valuable friend in a troubled young townie, played by Emma Stone ("Zombieland"). Kieran Culkin also stars.

It's the latest off-Hollywood project for the 55-year-old Daniels, who says he'd rather make good movies than expensive ones. "I've made enough money, my kids are in college, I'm going to be fine. Let's do things that mean something."

Stone, 21, agrees: "You get so many by-the-book, formulaic comedies. This was very original, and in a world of remakes and prequels, it's nice to find something new."

During the 10-day shoot in November 2008, the cast stayed at the Sole East Resort; Daniels visited friends like director Barry Sonnenfeld and playwright Lanford Wilson. He also says he appreciated Montauk's low-key vibe, where he could hang out at a diner in peace. "They'll go, 'I liked you in "Fly Away Home," whaddaya want?' And you go, 'Oatmeal, coffee.' "

For Stone, the movie provided her first visit to the area. "It's so beautiful," she says. "Now it seems like everyone I know says 'Oh, you can come stay at my house!' How does everyone afford a house in the Hamptons? I know I can't."