Wayland being Wayland in movie 'Girlfriend'

We ought to be able to recognize Wayland in the movie "Girlfriend." Justin Lerner, the film's writer and director, grew up there, and he wrote the script around the local businesses that gave him permission to shoot on their premises a few weeks ago -- places such as the ever-popular deli Caraway's and State Road Auto Body.

"Girlfriend" is about a young man with Down syndrome who develops a relationship with a woman who has an abusive ex-boyfriend. The film stars Evan Sneider, who worked with Lerner on a short film a few years ago; the two are 1998 Wayland High grads (see picture below). The cast includes Shannon Woodward, who was on the FX series "The Riches"; character actress Amanda Plummer; and Jackson Rathbone (above), who plays Jasper Hale in the "Twilight" movies.

Jerad Anderson, who plays with Rathbone in the rock band 100 Monkeys and produced "Girlfriend," said having Rathbone on board has given the indie film a higher profile. More than a few "Twilight" fans have been hanging around the set, hoping to get a glimpse of their vampire crush. "He doesn't get creeped out by it," Anderson joked. He said it was rewarding to work with a director filming in his hometown. Thanks to Lerner, Anderson got to know the local shops and restaurants. "Shoppers World -- that was kind of like the weekend hangout."

Lerner, who will spend the rest of the year editing "Girlfriend," promises that Wayland and Boston will get first dibs when the film is ready for an audience. "We are hoping to actually do a Boston premiere. Maybe rent out the, what is it called, the Brattle Theatre?"