Directed by Francis Ford Coppola | USA | 95 mins
After escaping the jungle with his masterpiece Apocalypse Now, Francis Ford Coppola turned his attention to utilizing technological advances at his Zoetrope Studios. Initially conceiving One From the Heart as a simple romantic comedy, Coppola’s ambitions grew larger. The story became a musical, with the soundtrack composed by Tom Waits and Crystal Gale. Gene Kelly was brought in to oversee the dance number. Millions of dollars were put into sets, backgrounds, miniatures and a mobile command centre that Coppola could direct from. The budget ballooned from an initial $15 million dollars to over $25 million dollars, putting Zoetrope Studios on the brink of insolvency. Without a mid-shoot investment from Alberta’s very own Jack Singer, the movie may have never been completed.
Coppola instead got to see his vision through. The film is dazzling to behold, with innovative cinematography by the legendary Vittorio Storaro. All of the extra money spent on sets went to create a fantastical version of Las Vegas. Surrounded by all of the glitz and glamour, the leading performers (Frederic Forrest & Teri Garr) bring a real core of humanity to the centre of the film. The bloated budget meant the writing was already on the wall for Zoetrope Studios. After an underwhelming critical response at the film’s premiere, One From the Heart only grossed $636,000 during its initial release. This lead to Zoetrope Studios going into receivership, and Singer eventually taking full control of the company.
The film’s story did not end there. Coppola has since revisited the project twice. In 2003, he shortened the film by eight minutes in a restored version, that incorporated more of Kelly’s ideas into the dance sequence. Twenty years later, the film looks better than ever after One From the Heart: Reprise was overseen and approved by Coppola. This 4K restoration got a theatrical release earlier this year, and is the version Calgary Cinematheque is proud to present.
Written by Kyle Hodge
Part of our Movies That Broke Hollywood Series.
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that this screening takes place on Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory, as well as the oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta District 6. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations, Indigenous and non, who live, work and play, as well as help steward this land, honour and celebrate this territory.