Crimes of the Heart 1987

As the quirky Magrath sisters—Lenny, Meg, and Rebecca “Babe”—gather at their family abode in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, on Lenny’s birthday, a complex tapestry of secrets and betrayals begins to unravel. Babe’s reckless choice to shoot her abusive husband, Zackery Botrelle, results in severe injuries and ignites a series of bombshells that will undeniably change the dynamics of their dysfunctional family forever.

Their intertwined lives are shaped by layers of trauma and heartache. Raised under the stern eye of Old Granddaddy following their mother’s tragic suicide, the Magrath sisters are forever united by their shared past of struggle. Lenny, who is reserved and thoughtful, has dedicated her life to caring for Granddaddy while shielding herself from the outside world. Babe, marred by her disastrous marriage to Zackery, carries both physical and emotional scars. On the other hand, Meg, the self-centered sibling, has attempted to escape Hazlehurst, chasing the glitzy allure of fame; however, her lack of success and subsequent meltdown hide beneath the surface from her sisters.

The atmosphere grows tense as Babe is released from jail into the care of Lenny and Meg, all while Old Granddaddy battles the aftermath of a stroke in the hospital. This situation compels the sisters to face their inner demons and confront the buried truths they’ve concealed for far too long. The arrival of Barnette Lloyd, a lawyer recruited to defend Babe, brings a sense of reality into their chaotic lives, along with a flicker of hope.

As their stories unfold, it becomes evident that each sister has been donning a facade of normalcy, hiding their authentic selves from the world. Lenny’s concerns about Babe’s mental wellbeing come to light when she confides in Meg about a past romantic encounter that ended badly after her boyfriend learned of her missing ovary. In contrast, Meg’s belief that Babe’s actions had a rational justification for shooting Zackery becomes a source of conflict when Babe exposes her own troubled marriage and secret romance with Willie Jay, a teenage boy.

The sisters’ long-hidden secrets begin to emerge, unveiling a tapestry of love, heartache, and tragedy that binds them. Guided by Barnette, Babe must navigate the murky waters of guilt and shame as she faces the stark realities of her life. Will she discover a path to reclaim her existence and start over, or will the shadows of her past continue to loom over her? Time alone will unveil the answer.

During a visit to Old Granddaddy at the hospital, Meg tries to impress him with exaggerated tales of her glamorous Hollywood career, but Lenny remains skeptical, fueled by deeply-rooted resentment of Meg’s perceived favoritism. Babe, aware of this underlying tension, gently reminds Lenny that it was Meg who found their mother’s lifeless body—a traumatic experience that has forever bonded them as sisters.

In private, Meg admits to Lenny her stories were mere fabrications aimed at garnering Granddaddy’s approval and massaging her own ego. However, when Lenny discovers that Meg had consumed all of his birthday candy, she is flooded with rage and betrayal.

Meanwhile, Doc Porter’s arrival brings warmth to the family home as he and Meg share an intimate evening by the lake, reminiscing and enjoying bourbon together. During this moment, Meg finally reveals the bleak truth of her failed aspirations in Hollywood.

In an unexpected twist, Barnette’s visit leaves Babe speechless as she is presented with explicit photographs showcasing her and Willie, obtained through sinister methods by Lucille, Zackery’s sister. When Lenny awakens to Babe’s emotional outburst, he finds himself thrust into the drama spiraling before him.

As the night progresses, Old Granddaddy’s condition deteriorates, sending the sisters into a tailspin, and they keep vigil at his hospital bedside, their shared emotions hanging precariously in the balance. Upon Meg’s return, her upbeat demeanor clashes with the somber atmosphere, where Lenny and Babe confront the burden of secrets weighing heavily on them. Despite their circumstances, Meg resolves to reveal the truth to Granddaddy about her Hollywood endeavors, all while unaware that he has already succumbed to his injuries.

As Babe unveils the incriminating photographs, Lenny and Barnette hurry in soon after, revealing they’ve brokered a deal with Zackery to drop charges against Babe to maintain his public image. As the drama subsides, it’s clear that the sisters are inextricably linked—caught in a web of secrets, lies, and unacknowledged truths that threaten to engulf them.

In the days that follow, Lenny discovers the strength to reconnect with an old partner, stirring events that will leave a lasting impact. Babe, however, faces a dire phone call from Zackery, whose threatening tone leaves her feeling cornered and desperate. Contemplating the despair that claimed her mother, she grapples with dark thoughts of self-destruction. In an alarming twist, she attempts to hang herself from a chandelier, only to have it fail her, leaving her feeling crushed and hopeless. Just as she considers resorting to self-harm in the kitchen, Meg arrives in the nick of time to prevent tragedy. This critical moment sparks a realization within Babe about the importance of human connection, as she remembers their mother’s tragic choice to end her life after hanging their beloved family cat.

The following morning, in a show of solidarity, Meg and Babe surprise Lenny with a birthday cake, a heartwarming reminder of love and support flourishing amidst adversity.