The unrated version is notorious for a scene where fellatio is witnessed by Meg Ryan's character, although it was later revealed in the film commentary that the actress was using a rubber prop.
Nicole Kidman turned down the role of Frannie, because at the time, she was going through her divorce from Tom Cruise. She thought the role would have been too emotionally draining. She does however take a co-producing credit.
The costume department bought the entire wardrobe from the production remains of The Job (2001), a recently cancelled television show, for $400.
One of the main notes director Jane Campion gave Mark Ruffalo to portray Malloy was "never apologize".
According to Reuters, Meg Ryan would have preferred not to do the steamy sex scenes but put her faith in Jane Campion.
Speaking at Toronto Film Festival, where the movie made its debut, Ryan said: "I think the scenes are really good though, I think they're very honest. Jane didn't want them to be coy, so I don't think they are at all. And I love how much dialogue is in those scenes. That's what makes them really intimate."
Ryan said the scenes were filmed with a minimum of people on the set, and Campion did everything possible to put her actors at ease, including offering to take off her own clothes.