The old man who carries flowers to the Virgin is Mario Monicelli, probably one of the best Italian film directors.

While walking in Cortona, Frances passes by a newsstand which displays a poster of the satirical magazine "Il Vernacoliere". The title says "Sarviamo la pace: facciamo i mugoloni a Busce, cosi' si carma i nervi". It's in dialect and it means "Save the peace. Let's give [George] Bush some (fellatio), so he calms down".