Review of An American Crime (2007) by Danielle S — 20 Aug 2008
Set in 1965 in Indianapolis, An American Crime tells the story of Gertrude Baniszewski (Catherine Keener) who becomes the caretaker of two young children, Jennie (Hayley McFarland) and Sylvia Likens (Ellen Page) in addition to her own five offspring, including a baby.
Gertrude is a deranged mother who protects her own children more than anyone else and becomes convinced that Sylvia is spreading lies about one of her daughters and locks her in the basement where she is tortured and beaten by her, her children, and their friends.
Keener delivers a spellbinding, vile performance of never-ending cruelty. As always, Ellen Page is incredible, even if her character is four years younger than her real age and most of her performance involves lying still and being beaten.
"The Girl Next Door" is another movie adapted from these accounts and is a better film.
This review of An American Crime (2007) was written by Danielle S on 20 Aug 2008.
An American Crime has generally received positive reviews.
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