As indicated on writer and director Atom Egoyan's commentary track on the DVD, many people ask about the odd mask worn by the notetaker during the deposition scene. This is a stenographer's mask, an item which is used in real life by a stenographer to record his or her own voice during the deposition.
Author Russell Banks went on record saying that he thought this movie was an improvement over his novel.
Was inspired by the 1989 school bus crash in Alton, Texas.
Nicole (Sarah Polley) was an aspiring singer before the accident, and is seen on stage at various points in the movie performing The Tragically Hip's "Courage (for Hugh MacLennan)" and Jane Siberry's "One More Colour". The Tragically Hip's original version of "Courage" also appears in this movie. It was Polley's idea to re-work "Courage" for the closing credits, a version she personally sang.
First Canadian film to win the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.
Russell Banks: The author of the source novel makes a cameo as the doctor ("The mind is kind") in the hospital scene with Sarah Polley.