The video of George and young Sam playing in the surf was shot by Kevin Kline's wife, Phoebe Cates. She videotaped Kevin and their son Owen on the beach in Bermuda.
The featured house had to be removed after filming, but Costume Designer Molly Maginnis led a group of parents that had it dismantled, reconstructed, and enlarged to become a library for the Kenter Canyon school in Brentwood, California. The new library opened in April 2004.
Lindsay Lohan, who was fourteen-years-old at the time of production and casting, was strongly considered for the role of Alyssa Beck, and even screentested for it. While the filmmakers were impressed with Lohan, they ultimately gave Jena Malone the part, deciding they wanted someone a little bit older.
In the audio commentary of the DVD, Producer and Director Irwin Winkler stated that Kevin Kline lost about twenty-five pounds. He was also on a constant diet and had a trainer with him. But he was not sick. It's to let the audience think George is getting sicker and sicker.