Weezer was asked to write a song inspired by this film. Frontman Rivers Cuomo read the script and wrote two songs: "Wanda," in which he sings from a first person's point of view with lyrics such as, "My mom drives a big rig, and my daddy's gay," which referenced the the original script, and "You Gave Your Love to Me Softly". Only the latter was included in the soundtrack.
In the original short story, Angus' dad was alive and both of his parents were gay. When the movie was first shot, Angus' mom was straight and his dad was gay. After the final cut, the filmmakers decided to abandon the "gay parents" situation for good. The beginning - and some key scenes - were re-shot with George C. Scott in his present role as Angus' grandfather.
The shots in front of the school and at the football game were filmed at Owatonna High School in Owatonna, Minnesota. The marching band playing during the opening credits is the actual Owatonna High School Marching Band. Built in 1920, the high school building seen in the movie was demolished in the fall of 2023 after the new Owatonna High School opened.
The original title for this movie was going to be "A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune."