James Thierree is the grandson of Charlie Chaplin.
While based on a true story, the film takes many liberties with reality. As such, in real life the Delvaux Circus where much of the film takes place never existed, Chocolat didn't start his clown career with Foottit in France but with British clown Tony Grice in Spain, he didn't transition from being a "circus freak" to a clown but from being a servant, he never went to prison, Foottit isn't the one who came up with the idea to pair them, Marie Hecquet was neither a widow nor a nurse and was in a relationship with Chocolat before he ever met Foottit and there is no evidence that Foottit was homosexual, among many, many other differences (including the film's ending).
In France the film had 1.68 million admissions in four weeks.