This is an offbeat comedy based on Beth Henley's multi-prize-winning play: the play won the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.Here, three totally different sisters are reunited in their Mississippi house as a result of the youngest sister, Babe (Sissy Spacek), shooting her husband. The concern for everyone is what to do about it and wondering if Babe is crazy. A second sister, Lenny (Diane Keaton), seems to be becoming an old maid since she has a withered ovary and is afraid of approaching men. In any case, she is taking care of Old Granddaddy (Hurd Hatfield) and uses that excuse to stay around home. The third sister, Meg (Jessica Lange), has just arrived from Hollywood where she is becoming a movie star or a singer...or something. The one thing she has accomplished there is having sex with a lot of men. When she comes home to help with Babe's problem, she spends the night with Doc Porter (Sam Shepard) who is married with children. The things that unite the three sisters are their memories and the fact that their mother killed a cat while committing suicide some time back. (The murder of the cat with the suicide had made the family a bit famous due to newspaper stories about the incident.) This is a fun movie with three recent Oscar winners sharing almost equally in the overall plot: Diane Keaton had won an Oscar for Annie Hall (1977), Sissy Spacek for Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) and Jessica Lange for Tootsie (1982). Lange would later go on to win another Oscar for Blue Sky (1994).

This is the south, true and simply amazingly illuminating. The three sisters, each unique in their own quirky way, adore each other as they resent each other. But the beauty is their coming together in those family moments when nothing is as good as kin.So much sunshine lights on the faces and expressions of the actresses, and the tension, though slow, makes for a more interesting look into the inner life of Lenny, Babe and Meg. The supporting case all did fine jobs, and although short lived, the interaction between Lange & Shepard magnified their personal connection.Harper, the harpy, uppity cousin, was as typical as a cousin could get in a small town with know-it-all manners and nothing much to offer but spite. She played it for all it was worth, and then some, and get a head's up from the Academy.Babe's character played by Sissy Spacek, was perhaps the central figure in the triumvirate, but Keaton and Lange held their own throughout.A most worthy southern tale to laugh at, cry with and relate to with ease.

i liked this movie quite a bit.i guess it's a chick flick,but i also think it was part dark comedy.at least there were elements of that here and there.either way,it was a good movie.it's basically about three sisters who have all grown up and gone their separate ways,who are then reunited under less than ideal circumstances.Diane Keaton,Jessica Lange ,and Sissy Spacek are three sisters that couldn't be more different.once they're brought together again,they form new bonds and learn about each other.the film is very poignant,very moving.this is no action movie,it's dialogue and character driven,so it may seem slow,and it's not for everyone.but in this case,it is the journey,not the destination that's important.watching the three woman as they react to a life changing event is fascinating.a word of caution.there are one or two scenes where a racial slur is uttered,which is disturbing.otherwise though,a wonderful movie with three wonderful actresses.for me,Crimes of the Heart is an 8/10

Crimes of the Heart Based on the successful play this film gathered an ensemble of some of the most talented actors and actresses of our time, which includes Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard, Tess Harper, Diane Keaton, and Jessica Lange. Taking place in the south, we follow the story of a family's relationship and how they are dealing with their sister shooting her husband. With the strong female cast we can't help but to feel their pain through their emotions, relationship with each other, and how they deal with life. Great strong character choices, yet sisters with something even greater in common....love of family, and loyalty. There are many lessons to learn in this film and one of the most important is you can't turn your back on your family, even when you run away they will be there for you. The acting is superb, the honesty is great and in all a wonderful film to see. A true classic and if you haven't seen the play, read it or rented it.....do it now...you won't be disappointed. My vote for this film is 8 out of 10.