- Angst? What Angst?: Joe and Patricia seems remarkably unconcerned that the entire crew of the Tweedledee and every man, woman and child of the Waponi have all drowned over the course of the last day or two.
- Awesome Music: One of famed Georges Delerue's last scores, and setting John Patrick Stanley's lyrics to music, including "Marooned Without You"
and "Cowboy Song" sung by Hanks himself. Also the Eric Burdon cover of "Sixteen Tons" that plays over the opening sequence. - Esoteric Happy Ending: Sure, the island was wiped off the face of the Earth and its inhabitants likely killed in the process, but Joe and Patricia are happy, that's all that matters, right? Something that was cut was the Chief surviving with his Tobi, having saved his soul (in parallel to Joe saving it). Also, Joe and Patricia are rescued by the Tweedledum, and both Graynamore and his doctor are stranded on what's left of the isle.
- Moment of Awesome. Aside from "The Reason You Suck" Speech mentioned on the main page, Patricia's declaration of love for Joe just before he jumps into the volcano.Patricia: I love you!
Joe Banks: I love you, too! I've never been in love with anybody before, either! It's great! I'm glad! But the timing stinks. (quick peck on the cheek) I've gotta go. - One-Scene Wonder: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are the two actors who appear in more than one scene or sequence, so many of the characters in the movie fall into this category.
- The jovial Graynamore, the Comically Serious Dr. Ellison, and Marshall the kind limo driver qualify thanks to the talent of veteran actors Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack and Ossie Davis.
- The luggage salesman, who just loves luggage. It's a way of life. See for yourself.
- Protection from Editors: While it was long-rumored that writer John Patrick Shanley insisted on a "no-rewrites" clause in his contract before he agreed to work on any film, Shanley later revealed that this was the only film he ever worked on where he actually had such a clause in his contract — and was probably only even granted it because he also happened to be the director.
- Retroactive Recognition: Nathan Lane plays the scenery chewer Waponi that greets Joe upon arriving to the island. This was his second film appearance after Ironweed.
- Special Effects Failure: Green screen work in the shot where Joe and Patricia are expelled from the crater of the volcano isn't Industrial Light & Magic's best work by a long shot.
- Suspiciously Similar Song: The score to the film is lush, and one of Georges Delerue's best — until you listen to the soundtrack to Steel Magnolias and find it's extremely similar.
- Tear Jerker:
- Dying Joe Banks' eloquent prayer during a Dream Sequence to God as an impossibly large moon rises over the horizon.Joe: Dear God, whose name I do not know — thank you for my life. I forgot how big... thank you. Thank you for my life.
- It's still touching even when you know Joe's not dying.
- Ray Charles' version of "Old Man River" playing when Joe finds out he's dying.
- Dying Joe Banks' eloquent prayer
