Lynne Stopkewich said that Gary, as written on paper, was more one-dimensional, but Callum Keith Rennie was determined to make him more real, so he added genuine feelings of confusion/remorse to Gary's apology.
The film takes place in the early 80s, so Molly Parker and Lynne Stopkewich went to pick out vintage clothes for Leila to wear.
There is a recurring theme of birds and flight in the design, in everything from Leila's shirt to the little girl's room decorations.
Callum Keith Rennie bought a learning kit which he wore throughout filming, so he could change his accent to be more American Western.
Joel Bissonnette, who plays Leila's husband, would eventually become Molly's brother-in-law when she married his brother Matt Bissonnette. They divorced in 2012.