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'Imaginary Heroes': Director's debut deals with teen, parent angst

As a screenwriter for X2: X-Men United and the upcoming Superman Returns, Dan Harris is associated with imaginary superheroes. The core of his feature-directing debut, which deals with teen and parental angst, family secrets, suburban depravity and getting high to forget, is occupied by an unassuming antihero.

Sony Pictures Classics Imaginary Heroes B- Director: Dan Harris Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Daniels, Emile Hirsch, Kip Pardue, Michelle Williams Run time: 112 minutes Release date: Dec. 17, 2004 Rating: R for substance abuse, sexual content, language and some violence. On the web Official movie site Rate "Imaginary Heroes":   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

Although he manufactures a harmonious conclusion and offers more of a "Vegetative State" than something to equal another young director's notable debut (Zach Braff's Garden State), Harris shows a sensitivity for the heart and a way with intimate scenes that will carry him a long way.

Imaginary Heroes, which he wrote when he was only 20 — he's 25 now — is about the emotionally imperiled Travis family, whose claim to fame is first-born son Matt (Kip Pardue), an Olympic-caliber swimmer who hates swimming. But that isn't the only reason he kills himself, as we learn much later.

Matt's death plunges the otherwise distant and unconcerned father who worshipped him (Jeff Daniels as Ben) into a despair almost as deep as catatonia. Ben has never much noticed younger son Tim (Emile Hirsch in a portrayal that depends as much on events as on visible character development). Now Ben's openly contemptuous of the runt of the litter. The feeling is mutual, if unexpressed.

Tim's the one who found Matt dead, reacting much as he does to everything — hardly at all on the surface. His clothes swim on him. He hangs with the drugged-out kid next door. His girlfriend doesn't inspire his desire. We know the story is going to revolve around him. It takes its time to get there.

So give thanks for Sigourney Weaver, who fills the vacuum with a portrayal of wife and mother Sandy Travis that makes much out of as little as everyone else has to work with. If anyone ever had an excuse to fire up a cigar-sized joint and crash under the stars in the back yard until her least-favorite neighbor wakes her with a spray from the garden hose, it's Sandy.

She goes slumming to confront her son's bully, dissing the trailer he lives in. She gets arrested for trying to buy dope. She lets herself get so rundown that she ends up in the hospital, which is when Ben finally snaps out of it.

While we might not buy it, based on the evidence presented here, it is reassuring to see the tide turn toward Tim. He has no interest in being a hero, but just might amount to something.