Crimes of the Heart (film)

Crimes of the Heart
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBruce Beresford
Screenplay byBeth Henley
Based onCrimes of the Heart
by Beth Henley
Produced byFreddie Fields
Starring
CinematographyDante Spinotti
Edited byAnne Goursaud
Music byGeorges Delerue
Distributed byDe Laurentiis Entertainment Group
Release date
  • December 12, 1986 (1986-12-12)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20 million[1]
Box office$22.9 million[2]

Crimes of the Heart is a 1986 American black comedy drama film directed by Bruce Beresford from a screenplay written by Beth Henley adapted from her Pulitzer Prize-winning 1979 play. It stars Diane Keaton, Jessica Lange, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard, Tess Harper, and Hurd Hatfield. The film's narrative follows the Magrath sisters, Babe, Lenny and Meg, who reunite in their family home in Mississippi after Babe is arrested for shooting her husband. Each sister is forced to face the consequences of the "crimes of the heart" she has committed.

Crimes Of The Heart was theatrically released by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group on December 12, 1986. It received positive reviews with critics praising its screenplay and performances (most notably Spacek's), but was a box office disappointment; grossing $22.9 million on a $20 million budget. The film received three nominations at the 59th Academy Awards: Best Actress (for Spacek), Best Supporting Actress (for Harper), and Best Adapted Screenplay. At the 44th Golden Globe Awards, it received a nomination for the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, with Spacek winning Best Actress – Musical or Comedy.

  1. ^ Friendly, David T. (November 16, 1985). "De Laurentiis Rejoins the Ranks--At Embassy: De Laurentiis: Embassy". Los Angeles Times. p. E1.
  2. ^ Knoedelseder, William K. Jr. (August 30, 1987). "De Laurentiis Producer's Picture Darkens". Los Angeles Times. p. 1.