The story is based on real life events and
'Joel' as a character is based on the movie's director. 'Joel's' tattoo, ring, ponytail, 5 o'clock scruff, walk and hand on rib cage behavior is all based on director Joe Perry. After Joe saw the film he stopped putting his hand on his rib cage even though he had a picture of himself with his sister doing that when he was only 3 years old.