Lead actress Alicia Witt (Claire) is an accomplished concert pianist, and performs all of the piano-playing shown in the film.
In a film review by Film Threat, the film was given some praise: "Though not tremendously original and definitely not even remotely 'edgy,' Playing Mona Lisa is nonetheless a pleasant enough film, gently amusing and filled with enough familiar and/or attractive faces and good-natured gags to make the time pass by easily."
The film was shot on location in San Francisco in the spring of 1999. Composed by Carlos Rodriguez, the film's score includes a variety of music - from contemporary songs to classical piano, salsa, and polka.
Playing Mona Lisa is a 2000 American comedy film directed by Matthew Huffman and starring Alicia Witt, Harvey Fierstein, Johnny Galecki, Elliott Gould, Marlo Thomas, Molly Hagan, and Brooke Langton. It is based on a play "Two Goldsteins on Acid" by Marni Freedman.