The Gowan McGland main character in this film and its source, Peter De Vries's 'Reuben, Reuben" novel, was predominantly based on Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. The picture was first released about 30 years after Thomas had passed away in 1953.
Two of the five nominees nominated at the 1983 Academy Awards for Best Actor, Tom Conti and Michael Caine, both were for performances for alcoholic writer characters, for the films Reuben, Reuben (1983) and Educating Rita (1983) respectively. Moreover, that year's winner, Robert Duvall for Tender Mercies (1983), portrayed a hard-drinking country and western singer.
The film was based on two sources, a novel and a play, the latter of which was based on the book.
This movie is the debut of Kelly McGillis, who went on to become a major star. However, despite the fact that "Reuben Reuben" earned two Oscar nominations as well as good reviews, for a time McGillis actually had to go back to waiting tables for employment after being in this movie.
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