review: One From The Heart

(3.75 Stars) Coppola does something interesting here: He sets the viewer smack dab in the middle of an attractive stage performance, backs it with an AMAZING soundtrack, and conjures a majestic film. Teri Garr has never been so sexy and although her drama, along with all other acting in the film may easily and correctly be considered a bit overcooked for film, keep in mind that this is a stage presentation set to celluloid and different regulations apply in regards to overacting. (Those in the back row must know what’s going on too, after all!) In case you were wondering, YES, that is Raul Julia as the self-acclaimed well traveled Ray, and he is but one of the many surprises in this quiet yet fascinating film. Is this the biggest sleeper ever? Maybe not, but it is the biggest that I have seen. Perhaps I am a bit biased as Tom Waits, my favorite songwriter of all time, created the magnificent soundtrack, and, let’s face it, Coppola knows his stuff. Nevertheless, this is a pioneering collaborative work to say the least. Although it is not for everyone, the best way I can explain it is this: If Leaving Las Vegas and Moulin Rouge had a love child who, in turn had a love child with Grease, who then, in turn had a love child with A Streetcar Named Desire who ended up being raised by Shakespeare and introduced to and influenced heavily by Casablanca and taught to groove by Saturday Night Fever, the result would be One from the Heart. Clear enough? No, probably not. Let’s just say that this a well assembled love story with plenty of aesthetic style.