One from the Heart (1982)

One from the Heart is a 1982 American musical romantic drama film co-written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Starring Frederic Forrest, Teri Garr, Raúl Juliá, Nastassja Kinski, Lainie Kazan, and Harry Dean Stanton. The film follows a couple in Las Vegas who separate on their anniversary and embark on new romances over the course of a single night.

Unlike traditional musicals where characters sing their own emotions and convey plot information through song, the narrative of One from the Heart is accompanied by a soundtrack composed by Tom Waits and performed by Waits and Crystal Gayle. The non-diegetic music functions as an external commentary on the story rather than being sung by the characters themselves.

Developed and produced independently by Coppola's Zoetrope Studios, the film was originally conceived as a modest romantic comedy before evolving into an ambitious stylized production featuring elaborate sets, miniatures, and extensive visual effects. Coppola incorporated innovative filmmaking techniques, including electronic cinema, while cinematographer Vittorio Storaro influenced the film's visual approach. The project underwent significant budget increases, leading to financial difficulties for Zoetrope and a change in distributors.

One from the Heart was theatrically released in the United States on February 11, 1982, by Columbia Pictures. It was a critical and commercial failure upon its initial release, contributing to Coppola's financial struggles. However, it has since received a positive critical reappraisal. The film was recut in 2003 for a home media release, and again in 2024 with a revised version, subtitled Reprise, overseen by Coppola.