#1 Production Development The script for the film was written in 1993 by Robert Kuhn. Although studio executives were initially skittish about the film's commercial prospects due to its subject matter, the script became a hot property when Steven Spielberg's production company Amblin Entertainment showed interest in buying it. A resulting bidding war ended with a million-dollar sale to Eric Eisner of Island Pictures. Eisner sought out Martin Brest to direct the film, but Brest declined as he was unsure he could get the necessary performances out of young actors. Other directors who declined were Sydney Pollack, Rob Reiner and Paul Brickman. Universal Pictures, who had signed on to distribute the film, expressed concern that no director had yet come on board, so Eisner halved the film's initial $20 million budget and hired Peter Horton to direct. While the script circulated through talent agencies for the casting process, some industry figures criticized the script's irresponsibility in its treatment of homosexuality and accused it of homophobia. Particular criticism was directed towards scenes in which neighborhood bullies insult Dexter, calling him gay slurs while no other characters attempt to neutralize the insults. Horton attempted to address this problem through the character of Jerry, a gay male nurse played by actor Peter Moore. Commenting on Jerry's character, journalist Jess Cagle opined, "Jerry's homosexuality is apparent only in a slight part of Moore's performance. The result is an effeminate character who is at best secretly gay, at worst an offensive stereotype." Casting Horton hoped to cast big stars to boost the film's box office returns and asked his ex-wife Michelle Pfeiffer and actress Meg Ryan to participate, both of whom declined. Horton was hesitant to work with children as he doubted the ability of young actors to express the emotional weight needed for the film, but was blown away by the auditions of both Joseph Mazzello and Brad Renfro. Mazzello had not met anyone with AIDS before, so Horton suggested he watch an HBO special about an Australian boy who died of the disease. Filming The film was shot over the summer of 1994 in Stillwater, Minnesota. Locations included the St. Croix River and Minnehaha Creek. Soundtrack The original soundtrack to the film was composed by Dave Grusin and released by GRP Records on May 9, 1995. Tommy Morgan contributed to the musical harmony and Michael Fisher worked with percussion. The instruments used in