James Coco became the first actor to be nominated for both an Academy Award and a Razzie for the same performance. Coco won neither award. The only people to repeat this have been Amy Irving for Yentl (1983) and Glenn Close for Hillbilly Elegy (2020).
At the time of production, Marsha Mason was married to Neil Simon, the film's Producer, Screenwriter, and source Playwright. Of the movies they made together, Le retour de Max Dugan (1983) and this film, were the only ones where Simon was a Producer.
In its premiere engagement in America, this movie was released just six months before another filmed adaptation of a Neil Simon play, Je me fais du cinéma (1982). That movie was directed by Herbert Ross, who had been the first choice to direct Du rire aux larmes (1981). Both works predominantly dealt with the conflict between a daughter and a parent, the parent being a mother in Du rire aux larmes (1981), and a father in Je me fais du cinéma (1982). Both parent characters also abuse alcohol. Both films are reconciliation movies; in each film, the parent and daughter have not seen each other for several years.
Film Composer David Shire had lyrics written to his lively main theme by Richard Maltby, Jr., and the song "Only When I Laugh" was recorded by Brenda Lee. For reasons unknown, the song was not included in the film. However, MCA Records released it as a 7-inch single with the label credit "From the Columbia Motion Picture". The song was also nominated for a for a Worst Original Song Razzie Award.