Ariel Besse's parents sued the distributors for the poster, which shows her bare breasts, as it was exhibited on billboards around France without their permission. They lost the case.
Sophie Marceau was originally considered to play Marion, a role she ultimately refused, considering it too difficult to play.
The film played in competition at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival and had an international release. It received some positive reviews in spite of its controversial subject.
Patrick Dewaere was an accomplished musician and played the piano himself in this movie.
Source novel : 'Beau-père', by Bertrand Blier, published by Editions Robert Laffont, Paris, 1980, 225 pages, ISBN: : 9782277213338.