Sally Field once said on the A&E television show James Garner: Hollywood Maverick (2000) that her kissing scene with Garner in this picture was the best on-screen kiss she had ever had.
One of the few films to successfully appeal its MPAA rating. In a pivotal scene with Murphy, Bobby Jack asks him if he and Emma have been "f******". The MPAA "automatic language rule" normally does not allow even a single instance of a "sexually derived" vulgarity, in a sexual context, in a PG-13 release.
The movie's director Martin Ritt said to The Gainesville Sun of the battle over the casting of James Garner in this film in an article published on 12th January 1986, "There was resistance to him. A lot of exhibitors didn't want Jim. But this part is for him. Jim is Murphy." Ritt added, "I've won 90% of those arguments. I'm very good at spotting people, and if I feel a person's going to be good, hell and high water will not get me off it".
Columbia Pictures really wanted Marlon Brando for his "box office allure", even though he hadn't been in a film since 1980. James Garner had played the lead male role in Victor/Victoria (1982). Martin Ritt and Sally Field insisted on Garner being in this film, resulting in his only Academy Award nomination.