A reunion for Fanny Ardant and Gérard Depardieu who had previously worked together in 1981 in François Truffaut's La femme d'à côté (1981).
Gérard Depardieu claimed he was attracted to this film version of the Balzac novel because he was fascinated by the opportunity at playing tragedy.
The directorial debut of Yves Angelo, cinematographer on such films as Germinal (1993) and Un cœur en hiver (1992).
Julie Depardieu worked with her father in real life, it was her debut.