Crimes of the Heart *** (1986, Diane Keaton, Jessica Lange, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard, Tess Harper, Hurd Hatfield) – Classic Movie Review 5875

Beth Henley reworks her own Pulitzer-prizewinning play as a vehicle for three of Hollywood’s top Eighties stars, Diane Keaton, Jessica Lange, and Sissy Spacek as Lenny, Meg and Becky ‘Babe’ Magrath, eccentric Southern sisters undergoing the heartaches of a family reunion. ‘Babe’ has just shot her husband…

The high-class performances are what count, though a theatrical script and stagey handling keep it slightly unsatisfactory as a movie, and patience is required for full enjoyment. Director Bruce Beresford handles it all very tastefully.

It must be said that it is a superb showcase for three often underused talents, though. Spacek sparkles and won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, as well as New York and Kansas Film Critics Awards.

It also stars Lange’s partner Sam Shepard, who died on 27 July 2017 aged 73, as Doc Porter. Tess Harper plays Chick Boyle, David Carpenter plays Barnette Lloyd and Hurd Hatfield plays Old Granddaddy.

Spacek was Oscar-nominated as Best Actress, Harper as Best Supporting Actress and Henley for Best Adapted Screenplay.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5875

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com