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

[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.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: 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

Recommended for Fairuza Balk and Harvey Keitel

Imaginary Crimes features one of the world's best "unknown" actresses Fairuza Balk (Personal Velocity, Almost Famous, The Craft, American History X) and the immensely talented Harvey Keitel.

Keitel plays a recently widowed hustler/con man who is left trying to raise his two daughters, teenager Balk and her 12 year old sister. He doesn't have a clue about raising kids. Worse, he has to hide his shady business dealings from them.

Balk is a natural born writer, who is befriended by her English teacher (Vincent D'Onofrio). He provides the supportive father figure that Keitel cannot.

Imaginary Crimes is a coming of age story. It's a small, quiet film, but very effective. The acting is superb and Balk more than holds her own with the great Keitel. Highly recommended for the outstanding performances of Balk, Keitel and D'Onofrio. Balk is one of my favorite actresses.