He didn't get a directorial credit in this movie but Peter Bogdanovich tells a story about how John Cassavetes called him to ask with help directing a scene that John was in. Peter told him it was very simple and he really didn't need him. John said he was asking as a friend for help. Peter agreed to help. It was a simple scene and he didn't do much other than direct where the cameras should be. He found out later on that John was reaching out to him because Peter had suffered a personal tragedy where somebody he loved very much was murdered. That person was Dorothy Stratten, a Playboy Playmate who was murdered by her estranged husband. Her murder is the subject of the movie Star 80 (1983). Peter was a shut-in for over a year at that point, rarely leaving his house, and John did it to get him out and back on set. Peter found out about it years later and was very touched. It was actually very therapeutic for him and he was very grateful.
The film featured no handheld camera work, which had been a trademark of the films that John Cassavetes had directed.
Jon Voight originated the role of Robert Harmon in the stage play and was originally slated to reprise his role in the film, but left the production due to scheduling conflicts and "creative differences" with John Cassavetes.