Crimes of the Heart Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three delightfully dysfunctional Southern sisters reunite when one shoots her husband, leading to hilarious (and slightly tragic) discussions about ovaries, lemonade, and dead cats.

🍿 Crimes of the Heart: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Southern Reunion Under Dire Circumstances

‘Crimes of the Heart’ centers on the three Magrath sisters in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. Oldest sister Lenny lives at home, caring for their ailing grandfather and struggling with personal insecurities. The middle sister, Meg, is a free-spirited aspiring singer who left for Hollywood but hasn’t found the success she hoped for. The story begins when the youngest sister, Babe, shoots her abusive husband, Zackery Botrelle, a wealthy lawyer and state senator. This act draws Meg back home and forces the sisters to reunite in their childhood home, confronting both Babe’s legal troubles and their own unresolved issues.

Facing Personal Demons and Family History

As the sisters gather, old tensions resurface alongside their deep bond. They grapple with the lingering trauma of their mother’s suicide years earlier, an event that significantly shaped their lives. Lenny reveals her anxieties about her ‘shrunken ovaries’ and spinsterhood, while Meg confronts her past relationships and failed ambitions. Babe’s legal situation becomes the catalyst for the sisters to confide in each other and their eccentric cousin, Chick Boyle. They navigate the small-town gossip and legal challenges presented by Babe’s case and her young lawyer, Barnette Lloyd, who develops an interest in Babe.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Doc Porter (Sam Shepard): Meg’s former love interest who bears the physical consequences of a past incident with her and is still connected to the family.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Babe: “I didn’t like his stinkin’ looks.” – Babe’s simple yet shocking explanation for why she shot her husband.
• Babe: “After I shot him, I put the gun down on the piano bench and went to the kitchen and made a pitcher of lemonade… Yes… I was dying of thirst, my mouth was just dry as a bone.” – Babe recounts the bizarre, calm actions she took immediately after shooting her husband, highlighting her quirky nature.
• Babe: “I don’t know… I’m having a bad day.” – Babe’s darkly comedic response when asked by Meg why she put her head in the oven.
• Meg: “Well, look at us. We’re all together. And we’re just fine.” – Said as the sisters reunite and find strength in each other, despite the chaos surrounding them.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $22,905,522
• Worldwide Gross: $22,905,522

💥 Crimes of the Heart Reviews

Personal Review

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, but those three leads together? Sign me up! I found myself really drawn into the weird, intense world of these sisters. It felt so authentic to a certain kind of Southern family dynamic, full of passive-aggression and deep, undeniable love underneath. The scene where they’re all around the birthday cake, trying to find joy amidst the chaos, really stuck with me. It felt earned and genuinely moving after all the absurdity. Yeah, it’s definitely a play on screen, but I didn’t mind that; the acting is just THAT good. It felt like getting a peek into real, complicated lives.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about female relationships and sisterhood”
  • “Those who enjoy Southern Gothic or quirky Southern comedies/dramas”
  • “Admirers of Diane Keaton, Jessica Lange, and Sissy Spacek”
  • “People who appreciate stage play adaptations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature Themes (suicide, domestic abuse, loneliness, mental health)”
  • “Discussion of Suicide”
  • “Gun Violence (non-fatal shooting)”
  • “Alcohol Use”
  • “Brief mention/implication of a potentially inappropriate relationship (mentioned in reviews, sensitive topic)”

Professional Reviews

• User Review on IMDb (N/A): “Putting three powerhouse actresses together in Beth Henley’s play adaptation results in a first-rate film. While the action is slow, the dialogue is rich and demands attention, rewarding the viewer with well-fleshed-out characters. Spacek and Harper are particular standouts in this unique Southern story.
• User Review on IMDb (N/A): “Despite a talented cast, this adaptation feels overly stagey with awkward dialogue and direction that misses comedic timing. The characters, while played by great actresses, come across as irritating or dull, making it hard to engage. It never quite finds the right balance between dark material and attempted humor.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers praised the incredible ensemble acting, particularly the chemistry between the three lead actresses.: The film effectively captures the unique blend of dark humor and poignant drama found in Southern Gothic storytelling, often highlighting the strong themes of family loyalty and resilience.

Overall Consensus: A well-acted, albeit occasionally polarizing, adaptation of a celebrated play, admired for its performances and Southern atmosphere, but sometimes criticized for its stagey feel and tonal inconsistencies.

Awards

1. Pulitzer Prize for Drama (Drama)- 1981

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jessica Lange was pregnant during principal photography, giving birth to her daughter with co-star Sam Shepard shortly after filming wrapped.”
• “The movie is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name by Beth Henley.”

🖥️ How to Watch Crimes of the Heart?

As of late 2023, ‘Crimes of the Heart’ is not consistently available on major subscription streaming services. You can typically find it available to rent or purchase digitally on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred digital movie store for current availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Crimes of the Heart, you might like these similar films:

• Steel Magnolias (1989): Features a strong female ensemble cast navigating life, love, and loss in a close-knit Southern community with a mix of humor and drama.
• August: Osage County (2013): Centers on a dysfunctional family reunion where secrets, resentments, and dark humor come to the surface, similar to the Magrath sisters’ dynamics.
• Terms of Endearment (1983): An acclaimed drama from the same era focusing on the complex, evolving relationship between a mother and daughter, highlighting family bonds and individual struggles.
• Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017): A dark comedy-drama set in the South with a strong female protagonist dealing with trauma and taking unconventional actions, featuring quirky characters and poignant moments.
• What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962): A classic psychological thriller with Southern Gothic undertones, exploring the intense and deeply disturbed relationship between two aging sisters living together.

🛒 Crimes of the Heart Related Products

• Crimes of the Heart (Blu-ray): Experience the film in high definition, preserving the rich Southern setting and nuanced performances.
• Crimes of the Heart: The Play Script: Read the Pulitzer Prize-winning source material by Beth Henley, exploring the dialogue and character dynamics in their original form.
• Southern Women’s Writing: The New Generation: An anthology or critical study exploring themes and styles in contemporary Southern literature by women, building on traditions like Beth Henley’s.
• Southern-Inspired Cookbook: A cookbook featuring classic Southern recipes, perhaps including ones for lemonade and cakes, reminiscent of key scenes in the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Crimes of the Heart features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Happy Birthday to You” – performed by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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