Trivia / Tender Mercies

• Cast the Runner-Up: Ellen Barkin was supposed to play Rosa Lee. She was compensated with the smaller role of Sue Anne.
• The Cast Showoff: Robert Duvall wrote some of the songs he sings in the film, and does his own singing.
• What Could Have Been: According to the book Room to Dream, David Lynch notes he was offered to direct the film. Though he was likely busy preparing to direct Dune (1984) anyway, he turned it down, writing, "it turned out to be a great film, but I didn't think it was right for me."

---