An American Crime
This fact-based drama is about the trial of a woman accused of torturing a girl in her care.
“An American Crime” is a film based on the case of Gertrude Baniszewski, a woman who was convicted of torturing and murdering a girl in her care.
Two girls, Jenny and Sylvia Likens, played by Hayley McFarland and Ellen Page respectively, are left with Gertrude Baniszewski, played by Catherine Keener, after their parents leave to work in a carnival. While in the care of Baniszewski, Sylvia is singled out for constant torture by their guardian and is eventually killed. Baniszewski is arrested for the murder and sent to trial where she is convicted of first-degree murder.
Catherine Keener gives an excellent performance as the woman inflicting so much pain on the child. Her portrayal was so chilling that it seemed like she had actually witnessed the horrible acts being done to Likens. Her acting was truly disturbing, and at more than one point, I had to take a break from the film to digest what had just happened.
I didn’t like the way the story of the movie was told through flashbacks. I would have rather seen this movie shot in a linear fashion. It would make more sense to me to see the chronology of exactly what Sylvia Likens had to go through.
I would recommend this movie to anyone interested in crime dramas or psychological films. However, this is one film that is not for the faint of heart.
Written by: Andrew Randall
Reviewers Rating: 7.5
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Added: 4-May-2009
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