Writer and Director Paul Schrader told HX Magazine that Woody Harrelson refused to do any publicity for this movie because he was dissatisfied with his own performance in it.
The name of the cocktail that Carter Page III (Woody Harrelson) is seen drinking various times throughout the movie is a Sea Breeze.
Even though this is never resolved in the movie, in an interview with moviesonline.ca, Writer and Director Paul Schrader said that the only reason the murder victim was stabbed in the crotch (in addition to his fatal wounds) was "misdirection".
In the book ''Schrader on Schrader'' Paul Schrader admits that he had a difficult time directing Woody Harrelson.
At one point, Steve Martin was due to play the title role and studied television interviews with Gore Vidal in his preparation.