An American Crime (2007)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Tommy O'Haver

Writers (WGA):

Tommy O'Haver (written by) &
Irene Turner (written by)

Release Date:

7 December 2007 (Sweden)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

This has been the most terrible crime ever committed in the state of Indiana

Plot:

The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s.

Plot Keywords:

Torture | Narration From The Grave | Female Killer | Money Problems | Poverty

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Ellen Page	...	Sylvia Likens
Hayley McFarland	...	Jennifer Faye 'Jennie' Likens
Nick Searcy	...	Lester Likens
Romy Rosemont	...	Betty Likens
Catherine Keener	...	Gertrude Baniszewski
Ari Graynor	...	Paula Baniszewski
Scout Taylor-Compton	...	Stephanie Baniszewski
Tristan Jarred	...	Johnny Baniszewski
Hannah Leigh Dworkin	...	Shirley Baniszewski
Bradley Whitford	...	Prosecutor Leroy K. New
Michael O'Keefe	...	Reverend Bill Collier
Carlie Westerman	...	Marie Baniszewski
Michelle Benes	...	Hope Orbach
Patricia Place	...	Mrs. Doyle
Calvin Keet	...	Mr. Doyle

Also Known As:

The Basement (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong and disturbing depiction of child abuse and torture.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

USA:R | Sweden:15 | Germany:16 | Spain:18 | Finland:K-15 | Netherlands:16 | Brazil:16

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

First Look International

Trivia:

Most of the cast were completely unaware of the real Likens murder until after they read the script.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In a scene set in 1965, a character rushes into a phone booth and dials for an operator without inserting a coin. The free operator call feature was not instituted until many years later.

Quotes:

Gertrude Baniszewski: There are things in life we have to do, whether we like it or not.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (2008) (TV)

Soundtrack:

You Don't Own Me

An earth-shattering biopic that's not to be missed.

First things first, 'An American Crime' is not for everyone. Even stern stomachs will feel sick with upset and aggression during this film. It isn't pleasant and being based on a true story just makes the whole picture worse. However, this film is incredibly important. The horrific case of Sylvia Likens is not particularly well known in the UK which is sad but this film drums in to the viewer just how evil and sadistic Likens death was at the hands of Gertrude Baniszewski. The film tells the tale of Sylvia (Ellen Page) and her younger sister Jennie Faye (Hayley McFarland) moving into the Baniszewski household after their parents Lester (Nick Searcy) and Betty (Romy Rosemont) Likens have to extend their work as Carnival workers in the state of Indianapolis. The film then tales the true tale of horror upon Sylvia committed by Gertrude (Catherine Keener) and her evil children.

As I said earlier, this film really is hard-going, it packs a punch that most horror or psychological thrillers lack, quite possibly because this is entirely based on true events rather than a fictitious narrative. It leaves the viewer with continuous emotions towards the Likens girls, especially Sylvia. At some points, it seems almost unbearable to watch yet you just can't take your eyes off the screen. Page delivers once again magnificently, she really helps us build that all important 'audience-character' bond that's needed in this picture to truly understand it. She exposes raw and powerful talent in this film, almost like she is actually going through the same agony and despair as Sylvia Likens really did, she is painfully convincing and yet again, she fails to disappoint.

Keener is also exceptionally good as Gertrude. Her performance really touches a nerve within the audience, making us loathe her even more each second she is on the screen. I was also surprised just how good the child actors and actresses are in this film. McFarland is just grand as Jennie, her life is so mixed, she wants to defend Sylvia but is petrified of what will happen to her if she does and her performance really makes this point clear.

All in all, 'An American Crime' is brilliant, it builds towers or tension, emotion and aggression. This is the first film that's ever made me cry. This is a great film that should be seen by all but due to it's content, probably won't be.