While the majority of the story takes place in 1993, cast credits erroneously contain the header, "1992," to denote the characters that appear in the present. The film also contains intermittent voice-over narration by Steve Parlavecchio’s character, “Andy.”
       End credits give “Special thanks” to John Pierson, Carl Weiss, Bob Fukuyama, Ira Deutchman, Fred Goldring, Ira Lippy, Tony Romano, Norb Valentino and Marie Valentino, and note, “The Producers would like to thank: Walter Alexander, Chandra Beard, Dave Bechtel, Larry Bernstein, the Blumberg Family, Barry Brown, Steve Castellano, John Clarin, Paul Cooper, Jack “Footsteps” Crilly, Mike D’Dangelo, Jack Deutchman, Alison Dollinger, Etta Dreyfuss, Neil “Elmo” Elman, Paula Erickson, Bruce Federman of Industry City Associates, John Franrome, Allen and Sharon Fuss, Nick and Alicea Georgiade, Vicki Germaise, Kathleen Gibson, Lindy Goetz, the Golant Family, Danny Goldberg, Jennifer Goodman, Jim Gotlieb, Eric Greenspan, Hayley Gruzman, Richard Hassamein, Nick Hawkins, Michael Herz, Eric Hirsch, the Hirsch Family, Sam Hoffman, Michael and Gena Jacobowitz, Melinda Jason, Harlen Kaplan, Steve Kaplan, Lloyd Kaufman, Michael Krumper, Scott Lahman, Teddy Leb, John Lesher, Kathryn Malta, Thomas Macciko, Liz Manne, Robert Marcus, Peter Malocin, Kerry McCarthy, Bob Maganza, Doug Morris, Karen Nakas, Khama Natale, John Novick, Kirk Paskal, Daniel Petersen-Snyder, Janet Pierson, David Pollick, Alyssa Rapaport, Mike Rapaport, Phil Rizzuto, Neal Rothleder, Sandi Ruttenberg, Ruthie Sachs, Sammy and Spider, Phil Sandhaus, Jeff Sass, David Schiff, Barbara Silk, Paul Sorvino, Helaine and Chuck Stein, Salo and Sonia Sternhell, David Sumka, the Sundance Film Festival, Paul Templeton, Michael “Tromps” Trompeter, Barry Tyerman, Marilyn Vance-Straker, Sasha and Fanny Wainstein, Suzi and Jerry Walpert, Erika Watson, Michael, Andy and Danny Weiss, Lydia Weiss, Vicks Weiss, Diane and Phil Weissman, Ned Wentworth, Jeani Ziering, Auto Europa, Bank Leumi (Hewlett, NY), the Five Towns (Government Film Offices), Horn Cycle Shop, Major League Baseball Properties, Montana (Hewlett, NY), New York Yankees, Parker-Ziering, Inc. (Cedarhurst, NY); Bialostok Chiropractic (Cedarshurst, NY); Budokas Karate Association (Cedarshurst, NY); Casino Caravans (Elmont, NY); the Chateau Coffee Shop (Cedarshurst, NY); Congregation Beth Emeth (Hewlett, NY); the Gallery Four Restaurant (Lynbrook, NY); Gary Owens Bar (Long Beach, NY); Geardin 2000 Hair Studio (Hewlett, NY); Justin’s Restaurant (Cedarshurst, NY); Keystone Yacht Club (Woodmere, NY); Let’s Make A Deal (Jamaica, NY); McArdle’s Bar & Grill (Cedarshurst, NY); Mel’s Seafood Restaurant (Cedarshurst, NY); OTB (Queens, NY); Port O’ Call (Queens, NY); Raoul’s Brasserie (Manhattan, NY); Reggina Bakery (Queens, NY); Sherwood Diner (Lawrence, NY); Tamaqua Bar & Grill (Brooklyn, NY); Viva Loco Restaurant (Bellmore, NY); Westbury Beach Club (Atlantic Beach, NY); The Willow (Cedarshurst, NY); Jill and Jay Gordon; Helene and Robert Berman & Kings Pharmacy of Hillside Avenue; Dom Rodgers Interiors, Inc.; New York State Governor’s Office; New York City Film Office.”
       The following statement also appears: “And Special Thanks to these vendors who support independent film makers: Camera provided by TCS (Technological Cinevideo Services); Developing and Dailies by TVC Labs; Color Timing by Technicolor, New York; Negative Cutting by World Cinevision; Grip & Electric equipment rentals Sunlights; Dolly rental by General Camera; Music Courtesy of Warner Special Products; Music courtesy of Sony Music; Post Production Services by Todd-AO Studios East; Titles and Opticals Film Effects; Insurance Blumberg Associates.”
       According to the Aug 1993 issue of Details magazine, first-time filmmaker and Parsons School of Design dropout Rob Weiss spent two weeks writing a semi-autobiographical screenplay about his experiences growing up in the Five Towns area of Long Island, NY. Then twenty-four and living at home, Weiss showed the screenplay to his father, Carl Weiss, who contributed $40,000 and raised an additional $20,000 from friends. The Aug 1993 Vogue stated that Weiss began casting, claiming to have seen over 1,000 actors before selecting the three leads.
       While the project was supposedly intended only as a 16mm short film, independent financier John Pierson viewed a partial cut and gave Weiss money to expand the picture to feature length. However, the 18 Nov 1991 HR stated Pierson was president of Islet, Island World’s completion fund subsidiary, and was approached by Weiss when a $30,000 investment fell through during the final two weeks of filming. With Pierson’s $263,000 contribution, Islet was given fifty percent partnership in the project and increased the budget to $800,000. Paul Sorvino, father to actress, casting director, and associate producer Mira Sorvino, was listed as one of the financiers, although he does not receive onscreen credit. Conflicting information in the 22 Feb 1993 DV and 1 Mar 1993 Var estimated the budget at $4 million and $1 million, respectively. The budget was reportedly so tight that the prop department was forced to use paper triangles in place of Dorito’s tortilla chips.
       Although the 22 Jul 1991 Var listed a start date of 3 Aug 1991, a 24 Sep 1991 HR production chart stated that principal photography began the following month, on 21 Sep 1991, in Long Island, NY. The six-week schedule concluded 12 Nov 1991.
       According to Vogue, Amongst Friends received overwhelmingly positive reception when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT, on 29 Jan 1993.
The 22 Feb 1993 DV announced that Fine Line Features had acquired North American distribution rights for nearly $750,000, and Details indicated that the film’s popularity led to Weiss signing a multipicture deal with Universal Pictures.
       However, upon its national commercial release on 11 Aug 1993, the film earned largely negative reviews, with several critics citing imitative comparisons to Mean Streets (1973, see entry).