Living up to the tradition of good films about failing father figures, from "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" to "This Boy's Life", director Anthony Drazan's adaptation of Sheila Ballantyne's acclaimed 1982 novel draws one into a touching, rewarding drama. Terrific performances from a strong cast are "Imaginary Crimes'" chief attraction, while the serious subject matter warrants a sensitive approach to marketing.
Warners' prestigious fall release premiered this past weekend at the Boston Film Festival. A positive critical reception and awards possibilities give the character-driven "Imaginary Crimes" an even chance in the marketplace.
Set in the early 1960s in the Pacific Northwest, Ballantyne's semi-autobiographical story concerns the troubled family life of the financially shaky Weilers as seen through the eyes of sullen-but-sturdy eldest daughter Sonya (Fairuza Balk). Hustler dad Ray Harvey Keitel) is a bundle of contradictions, but presents a unified front to the world. He loves his motherless daughters dearly, but he can never make any of his or their dreams come true.
Even worse, Ray won't give up his dreams faced with the miserable, paranoid household he comes home to. A drinker and not above fleecing investors who are drawn into his improbable schemes, Ray is stern but caring, a misfit believing in the entrepreneurial, rags-to-riches spirit of American business. Meanwhile, forced-to-mature-early Sonya and younger sister Greta (Elisabeth Moss) cope as best they can, with journal-writing Sonya finding a kindred soul in girl's private school teacher Mr. Webster (Vincent D'Onofio).
Sonya's coming of age and memories of her mother (Kelly Lynch) become the focus of the story, but Ray's presence is powerfully felt throughout. While less ambitious than Ballantyne's original novel, which took Sonya herself through troubled motherhood, the film works to a very powerful conclusion that is only marred by a much-too-abrupt shift in Ray's attitude.
Balk ("Gas Food Lodging") steals the show. More than just a champion pouter, she packs genuine emotion and nuance into every scene. A great escape from his usual wise guys and scoundrels, Keitel is similarly focused. Moss as the younger daughter is sweetly optimistic though fragile, while D'Onofrio and Lynch shine as the film's inspirational adults.
Drazan ("Zebrahead"), cinematographer John Campbell, production designer Joseph Garrity and costumer Susan Lyall have put together an exquisite period production.
IMAGINARY CRIMES
Warner Bros.
James G. Robinson Presents
A Morgan Creek Production
An Anthony Drazan Film
Director Anthony Drazan
Producer James G. Robinson
Screenplay Kristine Johnson, Davia Nelson
Based on the book by Sheila Ballantyne
Executive producers Gary Barber, Ted Field, Robert W. Cort
Director of photography John J. Campbell
Production designer Joseph T. Garrity
Editor Elizabeth Kling
Music Stephen Endelman
Costume designer Susan Lyall
Casting Deborah Aquila, Jane Shannon
Color/Stereo
Cast:
Ray Weiler Harvey Keitel
Sonya Fairuza Balk
Valery Kelly Lynch
Mr. Webster Vincent D'Onofrio
Abigale Tate Diane Baker
Jarvis Chris Penn
Greta Elisabeth Moss
Eddie Seymour Cassel
Running time -- 105 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
Warners' prestigious fall release premiered this past weekend at the Boston Film Festival. A positive critical reception and awards possibilities give the character-driven "Imaginary Crimes" an even chance in the marketplace.
Set in the early 1960s in the Pacific Northwest, Ballantyne's semi-autobiographical story concerns the troubled family life of the financially shaky Weilers as seen through the eyes of sullen-but-sturdy eldest daughter Sonya (Fairuza Balk). Hustler dad Ray Harvey Keitel) is a bundle of contradictions, but presents a unified front to the world. He loves his motherless daughters dearly, but he can never make any of his or their dreams come true.
Even worse, Ray won't give up his dreams faced with the miserable, paranoid household he comes home to. A drinker and not above fleecing investors who are drawn into his improbable schemes, Ray is stern but caring, a misfit believing in the entrepreneurial, rags-to-riches spirit of American business. Meanwhile, forced-to-mature-early Sonya and younger sister Greta (Elisabeth Moss) cope as best they can, with journal-writing Sonya finding a kindred soul in girl's private school teacher Mr. Webster (Vincent D'Onofio).
Sonya's coming of age and memories of her mother (Kelly Lynch) become the focus of the story, but Ray's presence is powerfully felt throughout. While less ambitious than Ballantyne's original novel, which took Sonya herself through troubled motherhood, the film works to a very powerful conclusion that is only marred by a much-too-abrupt shift in Ray's attitude.
Balk ("Gas Food Lodging") steals the show. More than just a champion pouter, she packs genuine emotion and nuance into every scene. A great escape from his usual wise guys and scoundrels, Keitel is similarly focused. Moss as the younger daughter is sweetly optimistic though fragile, while D'Onofrio and Lynch shine as the film's inspirational adults.
Drazan ("Zebrahead"), cinematographer John Campbell, production designer Joseph Garrity and costumer Susan Lyall have put together an exquisite period production.
IMAGINARY CRIMES
Warner Bros.
James G. Robinson Presents
A Morgan Creek Production
An Anthony Drazan Film
Director Anthony Drazan
Producer James G. Robinson
Screenplay Kristine Johnson, Davia Nelson
Based on the book by Sheila Ballantyne
Executive producers Gary Barber, Ted Field, Robert W. Cort
Director of photography John J. Campbell
Production designer Joseph T. Garrity
Editor Elizabeth Kling
Music Stephen Endelman
Costume designer Susan Lyall
Casting Deborah Aquila, Jane Shannon
Color/Stereo
Cast:
Ray Weiler Harvey Keitel
Sonya Fairuza Balk
Valery Kelly Lynch
Mr. Webster Vincent D'Onofrio
Abigale Tate Diane Baker
Jarvis Chris Penn
Greta Elisabeth Moss
Eddie Seymour Cassel
Running time -- 105 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
- 9/12/1994
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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