Review of An American Crime (2007) by Iyah R — 31 Aug 2009

This is the most disturbing performance I have seen from Catherine Keener. Fans of hers are not going to like her very much in this movie. It is very different from any role I have ever seen her in.

Ellen Page, wow. What a performance this girl gives in this movie. She was amazing to say the lease. She is really showing her fans and the viewer's just what she is capable of with her acting skills. She is going to go far.

Whats more disturbing then this movie even being thought of to be made, is the fact that it is based on a true story. How horrific. I remember reading about all the controversy coming from the critics about the daring performances Catherine and Ellen gave. Now after seeing it I know why.

Two sisters (Sylvia Likens and Jennie Likens) find themselves on the road living between their parents. Their parents are carnival workers. Both of their parents are going on tour with the carnival, so they decide to leave their daughters in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski. Gertrude's daughters are friends with the Likens sisters from church. Gertrude has a house full of kids as it is when she takes on the Likens sisters.

Gertrude has a lot of financial problems and that is why she decides to let the girls stay with her, so she can collect a weekly check from their parents for keeping them. Things turn for the worse when Gertrude becomes angry when she doesn't receive her weekly check from the girl's father. She then goes on to punish the girls by whipping them with a belt. She does end up receiving a check not long after, with an apology note for it being late. She never tells the girls though.

Gertrude takes out a lot of her frustration and anger on Sylvia Likens. She even has her children join in on the beatings, which is really upsetting. Just knowing that this is based on a true story and that there is someone out there like this, and that these events happened to these two young girls just sickens me. It's not an easy movie to watch, but is well worth it to see Catherine and Ellen's performances which are amazing. This a movie you definitely will remember whether you want to or not. The performances are that strong.