This movie marks the first of only two times (as of October 2006) that Donald Sutherland and his son Kiefer have appeared together in a dramatic film project; the other is A Time to Kill. (source: IMDB).
Kiefer Sutherland has a bit part, playing one of Michael's friends hanging around outside his high school. Kiefer shares no scene with his father.
Matthew Broderick was cast in this film and Simon's play Brighton Beach Memoirs simultaneously.
The real-life father of Matthew Broderick (whose birthname is James Joseph Broderick), noted character actor James Broderick died (November 1, 1982) around the time of the making of this film. Co-star Jason Robards, who knew James and was a friend, really helped Matthew through his grief with the loss of his father.
This was the last motion picture that Mason and Simon collaborated on before their divorce. Ironically, it was the only one of their films that failed at the box office.