One True Thing is a book.
One True Thing is a 1998 American drama film directed by Carl Franklin . The novel and film are based on Anna Quindlen 's real life and her struggle of dealing with the death of her mother , Prudence Pantano Quindlen in 1972 , due to ovarian cancer . Bette Midler sings the lead song , `` My One True Friend '' , over the end credits . The track was first released on Midler 's 1998 album Bathhouse Betty .