As a young boy, Tom admires his older brother Charley (Vincent D'Onofrio). He follows him to the local diner hangout. Charley talks to Tom's crush waitress Jennetta. She tells them that she's willing to wait for their father (Peter Coyote) to settle matters. Some years later, Tom (Peter Berg) drops out of Berkley to go home. Ask (Noah Wyle),Charley, and Cassie (Juliette Lewis) are still living at home with mom (Cindy Pickett) and dad. Charley is bitter to escape but can't pull away from the gravity of the family. Tom dates Marriet Hoffman (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who is equally adrift in the world after leaving L.A. The family is slowly imploding from everybody's secrets.

This is one dysfunctional family. I like everyone in this cast although this may not be their most impressive performances. I was feeling this movie for the first half until the fire. I like the fire but the fire should be the climax. It can't get more climatic than the fire. The stuff after the fire is the family chasing their own tales. This family is not getting fixed without a healthy dose of psychotherapy. They need a cleansing fight to finish off the story so that they can start anew. It just drags on too long.

A bit depressing, but a solid drama based on a novel by Robert Bosewell. Director Michael Bortman is also responsible for the screenplay that has a well knit family slowing falling part. It goes to show that perfection isn't all its cracked up to be. The Warren family is well meaning on the most part in spite of being dysfunctional. Vincent D'Onofrio steps up to become a star as a father/son rivalry drives a stake into the family's well being. At times a bit harsh, but you get the whole idea of how relationships among these family members try, but can't really grasp unity. A fine cast that also features: Peter Coyote, Noah Wyle, Peter Berg, Juliette Lewis, Marg Helgenberger and Cindy Pickett.

Crooked Hearts is a solid engaging film, but fails to make any sort of impression at the end of the day.

Some of the characters are alright, none of them great. There's no forgiveness for Charley's actions though.