Review of Crime of the Century (1996) by Danielle S — 16 Jun 2008
In 1932, the nation was shocked when the 14-month-old son of Charles Lindberg was kidnapped, held for ransom, and murdered. Two years later, Bruno Richard Hauptmann was arrested, convicted, and executed.
This film dramatizes the investigation against Hauptmann, the trial, and the execution, painting a picture of a corrupt police force under pressure to finger a killer framing an innocent man by manufacturing evidence, paying-off and blackmailing witnesses, and covering up exculpatory evidence.
There?s a certain spark missing, but this is nevertheless an engaging, juicy presentation of the case, as the filmmakers vehemently try to convince the viewer of foul play. Stephen Rea is quite good as the bluff, painfully trustful Hauptmann, watching in wide-eyed shock as facts about his case are swept under the rug in the face of public thirst for a conviction.
Isabella Rosselini is even better as his wife, who early on sees the direction events are taking, and whose pain and outrage make the film vibrate with shared injustice. Factually and emotionally, the story is right on target.
This review of Crime of the Century (1996) was written by Danielle S on 16 Jun 2008.
Crime of the Century has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
