Kate Winslet in Milford? Not Quite, But Close

Medway Lotus has a bit part in a new film starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin.

And the production reached into Milford, where a portion of the staged wardrobe and other functions Wednesday for the movie.

Medway Lotus closed Wednesday for filming of "Labor Day," a drama being filmed around Massachusetts, and directed by Jason Reitman. Winslet, an English actress who won an Academy Award in 2009, and was nominated six times, stars as a dancer who befriends an escaped convict, played by Brolin.

The film crew, actors and extras packed into the tiny restaurant, while Winslet filmed a scene in one of its booths. Brolin was reported to be on the set, but didn't come into the restaurant. Three hours later, the Medway Lotus staff and owners shared pizza while the film crew finished packing up for the next location.

John McCann, a co-owner, said about 60 people were in the restaurant for the filming. "It was crazy," McCann said. The director and assistants sat on chairs in the entrance foyer, while cameras were directed on the dining room.

McCann said he was contacted about five months ago by a film representative, but wasn't sure why the restaurant on Route 109 was picked.

The film should be released in about a year.

The filming required a traffic detail by Medway police and the trailers, housing the cameras and equipment, consumed the restaurant's lot. The overflow went to Milford's Kmart plaza, where extras in the film were returning their clothing Wednesday night.

Winslet has been filming scenes in several towns this month, including at a Benny's Monday in Mansfield, and last week at Shelburne Falls in western Massachusetts.