Robert De Niro emphasized authenticity and attention to detail on the film. De Niro did this by having business cards made up for his character, even though they are never seen in the movie. Also, for the telephone conversation with his wife, De Niro got writer Michael Cristofer to write dialogue for his spouse's part, even though it was not in the script, nor going to be heard by audiences.
In an interview with Premiere magazine, Meryl Streep said she watched the movie years later with her children on TV, and when one of them asked her, "Mom, how does this end?" Meryl had to admit she honestly couldn't remember.
Around the time that the movie was released, Robert De Niro said of the teaming of Meryl Streep and him: "I was always thinking of something I could do with Meryl, a play, a film, anything. We had a reading and began to see possibilities in it." Meryl Streep added "We wanted something real, something awkward and crumpled."
Three days and nights were spent filming at the Rizzoli Bookstore in Manhattan. The book shop was able to remain open for trading, and allow filming at the same time, due to the unique layout of the premises, where shooting could be conducted in one area, while other areas allowed customers to shop.
On the subject of the darker more complex roles Robert De Niro had at the time recently performed, De Niro said of his character and acting method in this movie: "It only appeared to be easier. You always have to worry. You always have to concentrate. It's just more deceptive when you are working on the surface."