Review of An American Crime (2007) by Walter M — 26 Apr 2009

[font=Century Gothic]Told mostly through flashbacks, "An American Crime" is set in Indianapolis in 1965. Lester (Nick Searcy) wants his ex-wife Betty(Romy Rosemont) to work with him on the carny circuit but they have noone to take care of their daughters Sylvia(Ellen Page) and Jennie(Haley McFarland). An opportunity presents itself through a chance meeting at a local church where Lester arranges with Gertrude (Catherine Keener, who is superb) to take care of them for $20 a week. But Gertrude only takes them in since she needs the money so badly. She is already overwhelmed by the six children she already has. Her eldest Paula(Ari Graynor) is involved with an older man, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy. That news spreads like wildfire through her high school. Through no fault of her own, Sylvia is accused of lying and is punished.[/font].

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[font=Century Gothic]Based on a true story, "An American Crime" is a disturbing story of snowballing events, leading to a horrific crime. The movie is anti-nostalgic, being set at a time when people trusted each, minded their own business and doors were left unlocked, although not the basements. It would be wrong to say these were more innocent times because sex was rampant but very little love. Adversely affecting the women's lives was the lack of and access to birth control. It is possible that Getrude might have been a decent person at one point but by now she is so protective of her children, she lives in denial and takes it out on Sylvia who might be the only truly good person in the movie.(Whereas everybody seeks to torment the weaker, Sylvia protects her younger sister who has polio.) And Getrude's children learn their behavior from her at a time when corporal punishment was rampant and Vietnam is on the nightly news. [/font].