 Certain dialog from Paul Zindels play remained in the script for  the movie. Even though the movie was filmed in Bridgeport,  Connecticut, certain references to the location of the play, which  takes place in Staten Island, New York (Zindels hometown) remain.  Ruth mentions "Princes Bay" when reading a classified ad about some  property for sale, and Matilda tells her mother that a photographer  is going to take pictures of the Science Fair finalists for "The  Advance". Princes Bay is a neighborhood located on the South Shore  of Staten Island, and the Staten Island Advance is the local  newspaper.