Minnesota woman writes, produces, and stars in film shot around Lake Minnetonka

WAYZATA, Minn. — The shores of Lake Minnetonka have long defined Minnesota’s western suburbs — and now, they’re taking center stage in a new movie. Marisa Coughlan — a Minnesota native whose Hollywood career spans decades — took a leap of faith on something new: writing, producing and starring in her own film she calls "A love letter to Minnesota."

Her new film, Blue-Eyed Girl, features some big names like Beau Bridges, Eliza Coupe and Sam Trammell. It’s a story about a daughter coming home from California when her father is sick and reconnects with her sisters and her first love.

“I like to consider it a coming-of-age story — but midlife instead of teenage years,” she said.

Coughlan wrote the film years ago, and says it was surreal to see it all come to life, crediting an incredible ca