The film's failure to live up to the high standards of Once Were Warriors is partly attributed to the fact that PolyGram Filmed Entertainment was involved. This meant that the raw emotion of the main characters and the powerful Maori cultural themes were replaced with a more generic theme of gangland warfare.
In the scene where Jake visits Rita and in a rage, smashes up her living room, Temeura Morrison actually injured his left hand. When leaving Rita's house he can be seen checking his hand. It was decided to incorporate the injury into the movie, so there are two more scenes in which he checks his hand. It was thought that his injury added to the growing awareness of Jake that he was fallible and he needed to reconsider his actions.
Edna Stirling, who plays Rita in this movie, appeared for a few seconds in a party scene in Once Were Warriors, where she was credited as 'Woman #1'
Pete Smith, who plays the Gang leader, Apeman in this movie, also played Jakes drinking buddy, Dooley, in the prequel, Once were warriors.
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted was the 2nd-highest-earning NZ film of the 1990s, meaning that it was eclipsed only by Once Were Warriors. It scooped the categories at the 1999 NZ Film & TV Awards. It won nine of its thirteen nominations including Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Screenplay.