Paul Cox wrote the first two drafts, then Phillip Adams proposed the movie be the first of four films made by the Adams-Packer company.
[3] The film was extremely well received and screened widely overseas, establishing Cox's reputation.
"It had a producer, a director, a script editor, you know, the usual apparatus and, of course, it's a full and wonderful film.
His other ones are like brief, infinitely prolonged screams or sonatas or something..."[4] Lonely Hearts was released on DVD by Umbrella Entertainment in August 2007.
The DVD is compatible with all region codes and includes special features such as the theatrical trailer and interviews with Paul Cox, John Clarke and Wendy Hughes.