Going All the Way

Sonny Burns

Gunner Casselman

Buddy Porter

Gale Ann Thayer

Marty Pilcher

Elwood Burns

Luke (as Bob Swan)

Alma Burns

Nina Casselman

Conductor / Ticket Taker

Beautiful Young Girl

Waiter

Religious Man

Blow Mahoney

Wilks

Meadowlark Resident #1

Meadowlark Resident #2

Deedee

Crooner

Minister

Farmer's Wife

Farmer #1

Farmer #2

Doctor

Winkie the Dog

Bar Patron (uncredited)

Shins (uncredited)

Soldier with Tom (uncredited)

Ben Affleck's character of "Gunner" was inspired by the life of Ted Steeg who also appears in the movie as the Minister. Dan Wakefield, the film's screenwriter (and author of the adapted novel) also appears briefly in the film (s Farmer #2) Wakefield and Steeg were friends in Indiana who later roomed together in New York City's Greenwich Village. Wakefield chronicles this halcyon period in his book, "New York in the Fifties", which was also made into a documentary in 2001.

Some 18 years earlier, Jill Clayburgh had co-starred in another movie, which like this one, was also based on a novel by Dan Wakefield, Starting Over (1979).

Set in 1954, the film opens with a 1957 hit song.

In an early scene in the film, the RCA Dome (Home of the Colts) is clearly visible behind Union Station. It is painted out of a later shot at the same location.

One of the games that Buddy throws out is CAREERS, which was first published in 1955; the film is set in 1954.

Sonny Burns: I guess even art leads to pussy.

Sonny Burns: I don't believe in God. I don't even like the guy.

Religious Man: Son, you're at a turning point in your life.