The screenplay was written by Beatrix Christian, and was adapted from the late American short story writer and poet Raymond Carver's 1975 title, "So Much Water So Close to Home". The short story was the basis for a segment in Robert Altman's "Short Cuts" (1993). Carver's story had also been retold in music by Australian artist Paul Kelly in the song "Everything's Turning to White", on his 1989 album "So Much Water So Close to Home". Kelly contributed to the score of the 2006 film as well.