History Trivia / Orphan

** And Esther's (actually Leena's) Estonian psychiatrist Dr. Värava is played by Karel Roden, a Czech actor who has been cast in various non-Czech Eastern European roles

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: The scene where Esther attempts to seduce John was originally longer and had much crasser dialogue, including Esther flirtatiously asking John if he would like to spank her.

* ExecutiveMeddling: In the original script, Danny was supposed to die and Esther's backstory (in which she [[spoiler:was sexually abused by her father, who she ultimately killed]]) was supposed to be better explained, making her more sympathetic and her actions of [[spoiler:pretending to be a child to seduce John]] make more sense.

** Both InUniverse and out. Esther is a 9-year-old Russian orphan [[spoiler: pretender, as she's actually a 33-year-old Estonian woman named Leena Klammer]]. Either way, she's portrayed by American actress Creator/IsabelleFuhrman… who ''is'' of Russian-Jewish descent (her mother is an immigrant) but had to learn to speak with an Estonian accent.
** And Esther's [[spoiler: actually Leena's]] Estonian psychiatrist Dr. Värava is played by Karel Roden, a Czech actor who has been cast in various non-Czech Eastern European roles ([[Film/Hellboy2004 many]] [[Film/RockNRolla of]] [[Film/RunningScared2006 them]] [[Film/TheBourneSupremacy as Russian]].)

* DawsonCasting: Borderline as Isabelle Fuhrman was cast at age 10 and turned 11 during filming. [[spoiler: However, she may also be the only actress who was also simultaneously PlayingGertrude, as "9-year-old" Esther is actually 33.]]

* AbilityOverAppearance: The original script had Esther with platinum blonde hair. Isabelle Fuhrman is dark-haired, but the directors loved her performance so much that they cast her anyway.
* TheCastShowOff: Vera Farmiga is a classically-trained pianist, which she gets to demonstrate in the film.
* DawsonCasting: Isabelle Fuhrman was 12, playing a 9-year-old girl. [[spoiler: However, she may also be the only actress who was also simultaneously PlayingGertrude, as "9-year-old" Esther is actually 33.]]

** Both InUniverse and out. Esther is a 9-year-old Russian orphan [[spoiler: pretender, as she's actually a 33-year-old Estonian woman named Leena Klamer]]. Either way, she's portrayed by American actress Creator/IsabelleFuhrman… who ''is'' of Russian-Jewish descent (her mother is an immigrant), but had to learn to speak with an Estonian accent.

* RealLifeWritesThePlot: The movie was supposed to take place in the fall, but a record snow fall hitting the filming location during filming changed this to the winter, in turn eliminating a scene in the script at a Halloween carnival at Danny and Esther's school. Some might say the winter atmosphere helped make the movie more creepy.

* LifeImitatesArt: When the film originally came out, some critics maligned the absurdity of the film's premise. [[HarsherInHindsight Come 2019]], and almost the [[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7479061/Mom-claims-Ukrainian-daughter-9-adopted-really-22-year-old-dwarfism.html exact same scenario plays out in real-life]]. Acording to the adoptive mother, a 22-year old Ukranian woman named Natalia Grace was adopted by an Indiana couple when she posed as a 6-year old, passing due to her dwarfism. Grace allegedly attempted to murder the couple multiple times. [[https://www.thecut.com/2019/10/kristina-barnett-adopted-child-real-life-orphan.html The case is ongoing.]][[note]]It was later revealed that Natalia Grace was really 6 years old (currently 16). Why the mother comes out with that story, is hard to say.[[/note]]

* ExecutiveMeddling: In the original script, Danny was supposed to die and Esther's backstory was supposed to be better explained, making her more sympathetic and her actions of [[spoiler:pretending to be a child to seduce John]] make more sense.