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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although they portrayed teenagers, Fairuza Balk (Sonya Weiler) was twenty-years-old (just one year older than teenage), and Elisabeth Moss (Greta Weiler) was twelve-years-old (just one year shy of teenage) in 1994.

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Quotes

Sonya Weiler: Never has a man less equipped for parenthood tried so hard.

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Connections

Features Goodbye, My Fancy (1951)

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Soundtracks

In The Middle Of A Kiss
Performed by Julie London
Written by Sam Coslow
Courtesy of EMI Records USA, a division of ERG, under license from CEMA Special Markets

User Reviews

a little better

Sonya Weiler (Fairuza Balk) is starting private school. Her mother Valery Weiler (Kelly Lynch) wanted a better life which never materialized and she died eight years ago. Her father Ray Weiler (Harvey Keitel) is a functioning drunk who sells his 'investment opportunity' to unsuspecting suckers. Greta Weiler (Elisabeth Moss) is her younger sister. Mr. Webster (Vincent D'Onofrio) is her new teacher and she is befriended by classmate Margaret (Amber Benson).

Originally, I gave this a four mostly due to Keitel's infuriating character. One hopes for some light moments to break up the frustration of watching his sleazy schemes. That never comes. It's a frustrating watch as I'm forced to take constant breaks. Sonya needs more screen time and story. She needs a boy interest and more to do with Margaret. Her father needs less screen time. The audience doesn't actually need to know the details about his scheme. We already know everything when he gets Sonya to lie for him. Quite frankly, we don't need all the Sonya narration. I do appreciate this a bit more after watching this again after twenty some odd years. It's still a five but I do see Keitel's great performance.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 October 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Imaginary Crimes

Filming Locations:

Portland, Oregon, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$21,748, 16 October 1994

Gross USA:

$89,611

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$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