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.

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Plot Keywords:

teacher student relationship | support | con artist | autobiographical | father daughter relationship | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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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 USA:

$89,611

Company Credits

Production Co:

Morgan Creek Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Fairuza Balk was called back to re-shoot some scenes and had to wear a wig, since she had already dyed it blonde for Tollbooth (1994).

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Quotes

Sonya Weiler: Me with a father who has the audacity to buy ice cream on the coldest night of the year.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Radioland Murders/I Like It Like That/Bullets Over Broadway/Imaginary Crimes/Clerks (1994)

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Soundtracks

Tumbling Tumbleweeds
Performed by Sons of the Pioneers
Written by Bob Nolan Courtesy of RCA Records Label of BMG Music

User Reviews

Run-of-the-mill-drama?

I had low expectations when I decided to check this film out. Emotional dramas are normally not my kind of film. But it did not take very long before I was "tuned in". Keitel manages to make the character both disgusting and loving in a great way. Despite the pathetic cons he manages to show Ray's love and caring for his children. The film is also helped by overall tremendous acting, especially by the Sonja-character. The flashbacks are tastefully divided into small parts, which help the "suspense" to last during the whole film. In my opinion, Keitel's acting is almost as good as his part in BAD LIEUTENANT, which is absolutely stunning. It is actually a rather standard plot, not very far from DEATH OF A SALESMAN. But as mentioned before, good acting gives it a 'feelgood'...er...feel. 8/10