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There is a certain moment in the film when the son is in the nursing home and he goes to the television and turns it off because he sees himself in the image.

So I decided to move that scene in the doctor's office to two-thirds into the movie, after the viewers had come to know Ryan and Ali and share in their happiness.

Ryan finally came to my rescue. He'd thought working together in Paper Moon would help us bond.

Initially with The Butcher Boy, there was this kid growing up in this strange, weird environment that I remember from when I was a kid. And Patrick's vision was so complete there.

Do you remember a scene with Ryan and Ali playing in the snow? Well, that was improvised.

The kids have all seen it on DVD or videotape.

Originally the film opened with Ryan in the doctor's office, being told his wife is dying. Then we see him walking the streets, and the story is told in flashback.

While all the other kids were out playing ball and stuff, I used to stay in my room and imagine that there was a camera in the wall. And I used to really believe that I was putting on a television show and that it was going out to somewhere in the world.

I had a picture-perfect childhood.

I loved the idea of Travolta sitting on the kid's swing, pining away for his girlfriend.