Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48184 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-02-03
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 105 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Three Oscar-winning actresses have a go at one of playwright Beth Henley's southern-fried comedies, and cook up an agreeable gumbo. In the town of Hazelhurst, Mississippi, Diane Keaton dithers her birthday away as one sister (Jessica Lange) returns from a flopped attempt at a singing career in Hollywood, and the other sister (Sissy Spacek) languishes in jail after shooting her abusive hubby. Truth be told, all three have been a little touched in the head ever since the long-past day when their mother hanged herself along with the family cat. Bruce Beresford provides the workmanlike direction, and Sam Shepard and Tess Harper contribute supporting turns. But this one's all about the three skillful stars, who eschew showboating and defer to each other with real grace--they have the rhythms of family conversation down pat, and they embody the glances and sighs of sisterhood, rather than acting them. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

Up-close and intimate
The films I watch tend to be action films of the likes of Arnie, Stallone and Gibson et al. So it may come as a surprise that I say that I think this film is a real gem. So why do I think that? Well, for a start it's just a pure delight from start to end. Great acting, great directing, great storyline. It's a southern story played out with charm, elegance and humanity. It's really very diificult to say exactly why one likes this movie because it really is a special personal experience that covers so many things, from aspects of motivation, the way the characters reflect and even just their accents. I will never forget those simple lines "oh babe why did you do it" and the replies, or the "she was just having a very bad day" lines too. It's a very personal film, laid back, up-close, intimate, soft, a work of art. Brilliant acting, brilliant direction and brilliant script - lovely film.

Always makes me smile
I've seen this movie about 5 or 6 times. After each viewing, I always feel good. Yes, it's kind of strange and sad, but Diane, Sissy and Jessica are fabulous. Tess Harper as Chick and Sam Shephard as Doc round out a superb cast. If you're in the mood for something a little different to curl up with, watch Crimes of the Heart!

Great movie
Usually when I sense that the actors had a great time making a movie, the result isn't particularly noteworthy. ("Cannonball Run" comes to mind.) But "Crimes of the Heart" is an exception. If Jessica Lange, Diane Keaton and Sissy Spacek weren't absolutely delighted to tackle the lead roles in this film, they are much better actors than I thought.

The material is reminiscent of Flannery O'Connor, who wrote some of the most humorous, offbeat Southern fiction extant.

The three sisters are so controlled by their visceral reactions that one wonders if any of them have ever had an intellectual moment. Although it would be maddening to have such people for friends, they're great instruments for movie comedy.

One final note: If anyone thinks Sissy Spacek is goofy-looking (as I used to), they will change their mind when they see her in this. She is absolutely gorgeous here.