Rating: 
Summary: Ignore Robert Horton's review. This is a great film.
Review: I'm only reviewing this in case somebody has read Robert Horton's review and has made a decision based on what was written. In fact if he hadn't said how great the soundtrack was I would have seriously wondered about his capabilities as a critic. I saw this film when it was released and as yet have not seen the dvd but I saw the film twice in one week and absolutely loved it. I disagree with pretty much everything Mr Horton says. The performances are great and the film carries so much warmth and beauty I find it strange as to what some people want from a 'love story'.
I'll tell you where I think the negative reviews come from. The film is ambitious in its' production and was very innovative and some just can't handle that. And people like to pidgeon-hole actors, directors, songwriters, bands etc and probably had a hard time figuring out what Mr Godfather was doing directing a love story. Well that is their problem.
If you like beautiful movies this is a must. If you don't your name is probably Robert Horton.
Rating: 
Summary: Still amazing after all these years
Review: If a piece of art is measured by its influence, One From The Heart rates on top. This is pure american movie art, something that get's harder to see every year. It's the result of a man's dream.
Along with The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, One From The Heart beautifully illustrates the behaviors, relations and also how beautiful and pleasant a cinema session can be. Unfortunatelly it was way ahead of its time.
I won't comment the storyline as you can read about it on others reviews.
How's this DVD? Image - 9, Sound - 10.
If I were Mr. Coppola I'd have presented this piece of art lover's with a "Director's Version", including the deleted scenes, along with the original version. They add a lot to the story and since this is DVD, additional minutes wouldn't hurt anyone. This is the only reason why it's not receiving 5 stars. The soundtrack is not DTS but it's nice and clear. The extras add a lot to the understanding of Mr. Coppola's passion, fight for this movie and its commercial "failure".
A movie like this happens only once in a lifetime. It took me 20 years to see something somewhat similar - Moulin Rouge. And Baz Luhrman assumes he had great influence from it.
Those who love cinematography, art direction, touching soundtracks, and once in a while like to fall in love must reserve a place for this loving piece of art in their DVDs collection. Go for it and you'll understand from every scene why it is "One From The Heart" of Mr. Coppola.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor editing and transfer of this masterpiece
Review: Let me say I loved this movie. I saw it when it was first out (yes someone did go to see it in the theater)and bought the video some years ago.
The video (VHS) was true to the theatrical release, unlike the DVD, but the saturated colors (especially the reds) really caused the quality to suffer on tape.
What's with cutting the opening sequence? And then again changing the sequencing and cutting of some of the dance scenes?
As far as the re-master, there was one sequence where there was a hair on the film? (lower left corner). What's up with that?
This is a beautiful movie, ahead of its time. Its a shame they have not done it justice. Those who did not see the original are really missing out.
Rating:
Summary: Poor editing and transfer of this masterpiece
Review: Let me say I loved this movie. I saw it when it was first out (yes someone did go to see it in the theater)and bought the video some years ago.
The video (VHS) was true to the theatrical release, unlike the DVD, but the saturated colors (especially the reds) really caused the quality to suffer on tape.
What's with cutting the opening sequence? And then again changing the sequencing and cutting of some of the dance scenes?
As far as the re-master, there was one sequence where there was a hair on the film? (lower left corner). What's up with that?
This is a beautiful movie, ahead of its time. Its a shame they have not done it justice. Those who did not see the original are really missing out.
Rating:
Summary: A pre-LOST IN TRANSLATION ?
Review: More than 10 years ago I saw this film on TV which was not that big event. I remember the city lights, Nastassja's new hair-cut at the time the film was produced, the characters not knowing what what to do next, all these 'pending' feelings which I like very much. Last week I discovered by accident that there is a DVD version available which I ordered immediately. Now I have to wait until it will reach Germany, I think it can be discovered again and compared to Sofia's version of people lost in big cites.
Rating:
Summary: So misunderstood!
Review: Movies like this definitely polarize audiences because (contrary to what critics will insist you believe), it takes a certain kind of sensitivity to enjoy a film like this. First of all, you need a very open mind (meaning that you MUST quit judging Francis Ford Coppola as "the Godfather director," expecting every title of his to be just like that). Secondly, you must be of the sensitivity to absorb visual images as pure emotions that the director is sending out to you, and as he is feeling within himself while making the film (and we're not talking about the frenetic music video trickery of Moulin Rouge here, but carefully conceived shots, sets and performances that make us think, escape and especially *feel*). Many people simply do not possess such understanding and appreciation for visual cinematic "language." There's nothing wrong with that, but it is important to understand what makes us different. Those uninspired by One from the Heart will likely dismiss too the works of artistic directors like Coppola as "eye candy" (filmmakers like Orson Welles, Ridley Scott, Abel Gance, Fritz Lang, Josef von Sternberg, Terry Gilliam and Tim Burton). They refuse to accept the fact that many moviegoers *can* interpret such images as warm, involving and extremely profound. When One from the Heart was introduced to critics in 1982, in rough cut form, it was so universally condemned that its official released was canceled and the film was dumped on very few theaters for a week-long run. One from the Heart is *still* fighting for a fair viewing, with today's cynical, reality-based times, plus critics dismissing it with the same vehemence they displayed 22 years ago. Sure, One from the Heart is not for everyone, but that's true of most films. There will always be people who can't get beyond the (intentionally) artificial, expensive sets, and the behind-the-scenes stories of its extravagant production costs. Some mention how the sets are too big, or the story too small, to get involved in the story (never mind the fact that Vegas itself is a huge, artificial world, and that being surrounded it at all hours may indeed leave some lovers feeling that there's something "more exciting" out there). Others find it hard nowadays to accept two stars who are not "movie star" beautiful. Or a narrative oftentimes told through the song lyrics of Tom Waits (from one of the most amazing soundtracks I've ever heard), instead of through characters' words. And some will be bored by its mundane tale of a broken relationship, involving two simple, everyday human beings (not all that unlike Lost in Translation, by Coppola's own daughter Sofia). (Side note: how come the French can make so many pointless films about breakups in sexual affairs, yet *never* get condemned by critics?) For those viewers, however, who want to FEEL instead of simply judge and dissect, Coppola does indeed give us a fascinating, nostalgic and, yes, offbeat show that's "one from the heart."
Rating:
Summary: still great after all these years
Review: of all the films coppola ever created, here's one that really got the short end of the stick & for no apparent reasons. don't get me wrong, i've never seen a coppola masterpiece that i didn't like but this is my all-time favorite. sorry, godather & apocalypse. :( initially, i'd seen this film on hbo or showtime in the early eighties. i remember watching with my mom at the age of 10 & how much she loved the film. i, too, loved the visuals & the whole romantic concept here so i looked for the film on vhs many years later but never found any much to my dismay. either one from the heart went out of print or extremely hard to find as no one seemed to remember the film or could find any listings. after reading online that one from the heart was hitting dvd this past year & being re-released to theatres, i knew i would have to own this film but wasn't sure how it would look after all these years. that's nearly 18-19 years folks!! well, i watched it this afternoon (with my mom)& it looks as good as it did back in the eighties if not better perhaps & i had the same emotions while watching as i did way back then. that's amazing!! i haven't had time to look at the complete package of extras which encompasses the two dvds but i will definately take the time soon. hey, this film is great even without the long list of special features & i would be a proud owner even if i didn't get a single trailer, deleted scene, or any chapters just so i could own this film. ok, you've heard my sentimental little story so now let me give you the skinny on the film. it's hard to compare one from the heart to anything else made around the same time but the film is almost like a fairytale & there is something quite magical about the experience. from the opening music by tom waits(he sounded quite good back then compared to now)& the very talented crystal gayle to the oh-so heartfelt ending, you are glued to the screen. the story unfold with a couple who've been together for nearly 5 years in vegas & are about to celebrate their anniversary. needless to say, they love each other but the marriage isn't very exciting. he doesn't spend much money on her & they never step foot out of the house. what's a girl like frannie to do? it's time to step out to search for romance, adventure, or to find out what she's been missing. will this couple ever get back together again? will frannie fulfill her dream of going to bora-bora? watch this beautiful, magnificent film for yourself & find out. although i didn't see this film in the theatres sad to say, i am so glad i fianlly own it on dvd & will watch this for years to come. thank you fantoma & coppola for bringing the magic back into my life once again. you've made me a happy gent. frederic forrest & teri garr, i love you both!!!
Rating:
Summary: Some things take time to grow on you.
Review: Sure, ONE FROM THE HEART basically has little more than atmosphere for a story-line, but so what? It's meant to be a confection, Coppola's homage to the old-style silver screen musicals which pulled out every cinematic stop they could to draw you in and win you over. ONE FROM THE HEART doesn't quite rise to the best of that genre (FOOTLIGHT PARADE, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN), but it certainly holds it's own with Martin Scorsese's NEW YORK, NEW YORK and Bob Fosse's ALL THAT JAZZ, other films that are as much about the "magic" of film as they are about entertainment. Plus, hey, it's a sappy love story; if that's not your idea of a good evening at the movies, fair enough, but you'll rarely see a sappy love story told with so much class. Tom Waits' songs are the glue holding ONE FROM THE HEART together and his duets with Crystal Gayle are sublime. As others have mentioned, Baz Luhrmann borrowed more than a little from ONE FROM THE HEART when he made MOULIN ROUGE. Suffice it to say, then, that if you liked MOULIN ROUGE, the chances you'll like the movie that influenced it at least as much, if not more.
Rating:
Summary: Great Buy!
Review: The film is dated, thats for sure. It's still an excellent DVD though. The amount of content is incredible. My favorites are the rare Tom Waits songs on the 2nd disc, and the "soundtrack only" audio track for the movie. Recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Great Buy!
Review: The film is dated, thats for sure. It's still an excellent DVD though. The amount of content is incredible. My favorites are the rare Tom Waits songs on the 2nd disc, and the "soundtrack only" audio track for the movie. Recommended!
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