Trivia

In the afterword to the book this film was based on, author Larry Doyle admitted he initially conceived this story as a movie. When he was unable to generate interest, he published the story as a novel. It subsequently generated enough popularity to spark interest in adapting it for film, and Doyle was invited to write the screenplay.

Chris Columbus, director, asked actress Lauren Storm to gain weight to play Beth's cheerleader friend, Treece.

Buffalo Glenn High School and Harpers Community College are named for writer Larry Doyle's hometown's institutions: Buffalo Grove High School and Harper College.

Stars Hayden Panettiere and Lauren Storm were both on 'Malcolm in the Middle' as both Malcolm's (Frankie Muniz) love interests

Hayden Panettiere said in an interview promoting the movie that she was really naked in the locker room scene, and that she had no problem doing it, adding, "If I can't flaunt it at 20, come on! I mean I might as well show it now." Except she admitted she didn't really flaunt anything because she wore pasties over her nipples and she is only shown onscreen from the back and waist up. She didn't reveal whether she was bottomless on set though. When asked if she'd ever actually get naked onscreen in a movie, she said no. "There are just certain things that not everyone needs to know, that you need to keep somehow private and personal to you." Then she added, "But you never know. I could be 30 years old and just be like, 'Screw it. I want to take it all off. I better take a picture of this baby before it all goes.'" But as of January 2022 (age 32), she still hasn't done it.