It was adapted by Anna Pavignano, Michael Radford, Furio Scarpelli, Giacomo Scarpelli and Massimo Troisi from the novel Ardiente Paciencia by Antonio Skármeta. It was directed by Radford.
It won the Academy Award for Original Music Score, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Massimo Troisi), Best Director, Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.
Writer/star Massimo Troisi postponed heart surgery so he could complete the film. The day after filming was complete, he suffered a fatal heart attack.