Kevin Costner personally financed this film, because he was moved by Mike Binder's screenplay, wanted to tell the story of the family, and to continue the conversation on race in the U.S. among the film's viewers.
The movie credits show that this movie was dedicated to the memory of J.J. Harris, who was Kevin Costner's first talent manager and also a close friend. Harris passed away a year prior to filming.
Was originally rated R for "brief strong language," but the rating was appealed to PG-13 for "brief strong language, thematic material involving drug use and drinking, and for a fight"; now it has been re-rated PG.
Second Kevin Costner role in a film both written and directed by Mike Binder. Binder also acted in the first, The Upside of Anger (2005), and Costner portrays an alcoholic in both films.