Imaginary Crimes (1994)

A recently widowed, small-time hustler struggles to raise his two teenage daughters on his own and still make a dishonest living in 1950s Indiana.

Director:

Anthony Drazan

Writers:

Sheila Ballantyne (book), Kristine Johnson (screenplay),

Stars:

Harvey Keitel, Fairuza Balk, Kelly Lynch

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harvey Keitel	...	Ray Weiler
Fairuza Balk	...	Sonya Weiler
Kelly Lynch	...	Valery Weiler
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Mr. Webster
Diane Baker	...	Abigail Tate
Chris Penn	...	Jarvis
Amber Benson	...	Margaret
Elisabeth Moss	...	Greta Weiler
Richard Venture	...	Judge Klein
Seymour Cassel	...	Eddie
Tori Paul	...	Young Sonya
Melissa Berntsen	...	Gigi Rucklehaus
Annette O'Toole	...	Ginny Rucklehaus
Bill Geisslinger	...	Bud Rucklehaus
William G. Schilling	...	Mr. Garrity

Storyline

Coming-of-age story set in the 1950's stars Harvey Keitel as a small-time hustler/dreamer, recently widowed, who tries his best to care for his two daughters, 17-year-old Sonya, and 12-year-old Greta, while Sonya's rapid disulisionment with her father puts her at odds with him more times than nessessary.

---

Plot Keywords:

teacher student relationship | con artist | writing | autobiographical | support | 

---

Taglines:

When a father doesn't live up to his dreams... a daughter has to stand up for hers.

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for theme and some very mild language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 October 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Crimes Imaginários

Filming Locations:

Portland, Oregon, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$89,611 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Morgan Creek Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[When Sonya's teacher encourages her to go to college]
Sonya Weiler: You don't know my father.
Mr. Webster: Well, in a way, I do.

---

Connections

Features Hawaiian Eye (1959)

---

Soundtracks

"Hawaiian Eye"
Written by Mack David and Jerry Livingston

User Reviews

A nice gem For Kietel

Everyone who thinks Harvey can only inhabit violent, suffering Martin Scorcese type stories will be amazed at his affecting and emotional turn here, as a father struggling to raise his 2 daughters. Guilt and regret figure prominently in the plot line, which is narrated from a diary by the wonderful Fairuka Balk. Kelly Lynch gives a brief but sad performance as the mother. One of Kietel's best contains his usual trademark shouting scenes but overall: his least bloody and tortured character is also his finest time on film.