Judy Davis plays Richard Roxburgh's mother in this film, even though there is only seven years' difference in their actual ages.
Sam Neill was discovered by James Mason, who helped him to get work in American and European films. In that way, Mason's role in their relationship paralleled that of his character from Une étoile est née (1954). In that film, the actress he discovers is played by Judy Garland. Judy Davis played Garland in Judy Garland, la vie d'une étoile (2001). She also later played Nancy Reagan in The Reagans (2003). Mason's son, Morgan, worked for the Reagan administration. Geoffrey Rush also has a connection to Mason. He played Peter Sellers in Moi, Peter Sellers (2004). Sellers and Mason had appeared together in Lolita (1962). Sellers was also once engaged to Liza Minnelli.
Richard Roxburgh would go on to another movie that also prominently uses Marc Bolan's song, "Children of the Revolution." Bono covered it again for Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge.