Originally the film opened with Ryan in the doctor's office, being told his wife is dying. Then we see him walking the streets, and the story is told in flashback.

His goal was to have the camera reflect the chaos and confusion taking place in the hospital. Writer Eric Marcus recalls how Hiller tried to make the film realistic:

Also in 1982 he directed Author! Author! starring Al Pacino. The film was nominated for one Academy Award and showed Hiller capable of handling action films as well as comedy.

He began his career directing television in Canada and later in the U. By the late 1950s he began directing films most often comedies. He was the recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2002.