Imaginary Crimes

Is the wish for love greater than the need to hate? An interesting question posed by, and the complexity of which is examined in this film about the effects of the decisions we make during the course of our lives, and how those decisions ultimately affect our families and loved ones. Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Sheila Ballantyne, "Imaginary Crimes," directed by Anthony Drazan, stars Harvey Keitel as a widowed father raising two young daughters in 1950s Oregon. Ray Weiler (Keitel) is no role model for fathers, however. In fact, in the words of the author, "Never has a man... more

This is a great movie. I'm amazed that it got made and done so well. First kudos go to Sheila Ballantyne who wrote the novel. A story like this cannot be made up in committee or by hiring the hottest screen writer in town. It has to be lived. There's no question that Ballantyne lived it. And then it has to be understood in the light of love before it can be shared with us. And she did that. Second kudos go to Tony Drazan who directed and interpreted. It can be seen that he loved the story and he wanted it to be beautiful, and he made it so. He picked the dearest, sweetest girls to play the... more

Another excellent performance by Harvey Keitel as Mr. Ray Weiler, a widowed father who is doing his best to raise two young girls despite his limitations and emotional handicaps. It is a realistic portrayal of a family's struggles through death, hard times, and the difficulties of a teenage girl as we experience all of this turmoil through her eyes. It has a realistic ending, not the typical Hollywood fare that is served up these days with everyone "living happily ever after". more