Anecdotes

There is no pre-recorded background scene music throughout the film. All music heard in the film is performed live on-screen.

Childhood photos of Anne Hathaway's younger brother Thomas served as photos of Ethan in the film.

The dishwasher scene was based on an actual event involving Sidney Lumet and Bob Fosse.

The film is a tribute to the late Robert Altman. Jonathan Demme was an avid admirer of Altman's work.

Jenny Lumet spent about seven weeks writing the script. It was her first to be made into a film, even though it was her fifth screenplay.