Brighton on the big screen this weekend

A scene from "Youth in Revolt" that was shot at Brighton High School.

From the looks of things, Brighton is set to get some big-screen exposure in the film "Youth in Revolt." The film opens nationwide on Friday, including at the MJR Brighton Towne Square Cinema 20.

A trailer for the comedy shows several shots of Brighton High School and Bishop Lake in the Brighton State Recreation Area. Much of the movie was filmed in Michigan in the summer of 2008, including two scenes in the Brighton area.

"Youth in Revolt" has an all-star cast that includes Michael Cera ("Superbad"), Justin Long (the Mac Guy), Zach Galifianakis ("The Hangover"), Ray Liotta ("Goodfellas"), Steve Buscemi ("Fargo") and more.

In the film, Cera plays a high-schooler named Nick who sets his sights on the girls of his dreams, Sheeni (played by Portia Doubleday). Hoping to win Sheeni, Nick transforms himself from a normal teen into a "youth in revolt," committing several criminal acts in the process.

The trailer gives some hints that the Brighton scenes play a part in that.

In the trailer, we see Nick (Cera) driving a car on a cliff overlooking a lake next to a high school. Nick puts a rock on the accelerator of the car and hops out - just in time to watch it splash into the lake. Watching all this take place are a bunch of cops in the parking lot of the school.

That's where Brighton comes in.

The high school is Brighton High School (although it has a big sign that says "Hazel Park High School" on the side). The lake where the car takes a dive is Bishop Lake. The filmmakers use a little movie magic to make us believe that Bishop Lake is next to Brighton High (it's not). There also isn't a cliff next to the high school, as you might have noticed.

"Youth in Revolt" is one of several Hollywood productions that have spotlighted Livingston County in the past couple years. Michigan has become a haven for filmmakers since adopting some generous tax incentives last year.

Among the other movies that have filmed scenes in Livingston County in the past year or so:

• “High School,” a stoner comedy that was filmed in late 2008 at Parker High School in Marion Township, south of Howell. That movie, starring Oscar winner Adrien Brody and Michael Chiklis, will have its premiere this month at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The first showing takes place on Jan. 24.

• “Betty Ann Waters,” starring Oscar winner Hilary Swank, filmed a scene at the Livingston County Courthouse in Howell this summer.

• "Stone," starring Robert De Niro, which shot a scene in front of the Unadilla Store this summer. That film is set for release sometime this year.