Review of One from the Heart (1982) by Marc L — 20 Sep 2007

In 1982, Francis Ford Coppola made a film that if it didn't succeed, it would close Zoetrope Studios, his studio, forever. This was the result. Built and filmed entirely at his studio lot, the film stars Teri Garr and Fredric Forrest as Frannie and Hank, a couple who have been together for almost five years, but the relationship threatens to break apart at every turn.

Finally, she breaks it off, and off into the night they wander with their friends (He, with Moe, played by Harry Dean Stanton, and she, with Maggie, played by Lainie Kazan) and they both end up having romanitc liasons.

Frannie, with a siner/waiter named Ray (Raul Julia), and Hank, with a circus performer (Nastassia Kinski). But are they willing to give it one more try? The film's backdrop is Las Vegas, and as built entirely on the Zoetrope soundstages is a sight to behold.

The performances are great, and the music, by Tom Waits and Crystal Gayle is beautiful to listen to. It's almost as if the music gives the film another dimension to it. I'll admit, the closing moments brought tears to my eyes, but I guarantee that this movie will not play for everybody, but it might play for you just like it played for me.