A heart-breaking experience

An American Crime recounts a dreadful event that occurred merely a few decades ago in a typical, unsuspecting American suburban community. Many will collectively concur that this film is an imperative modern tour de force that addresses its subject matter relentlessly and explicitly. This is a heart-wrenching film that chills its audience to the bone. By witnessing the happenings unfold, you will be gasping in horror. Personally, I was sick to the stomach and felt severely disturbed. By the film's conclusion I was crying, not solely due to the portrayed events but because it's all true.

Following the actual occurrence in the 1960s, the nation was irretrievably rocked and traumatised. Those who've studied the case (or simply conducted research on Wikipedia) will have anticipated this film version with baited breathe, and its limited release would have been eagerly devoured. An American Crime is a harrowing, haunting, compelling and powerful illustration based on actual court transcripts (as the film's opening disclaimer states). Its solitary flaw is that amongst the unnerving and profoundly disconcerting incidences, the filmmakers never told the whole story and altered a number of vital facts. Of course this is just a movie, so they probably couldn't tell the complete unadulterated story. Still, it isn't the definitive version of its subject matter hence the film is sadly quite flawed.

This bone-chilling, compelling drama retells a horrific piece of American history that shocked the nation. This occurrence is a shocking felony and the most devastating series of crimes ever committed against in single victim.
Set in the mid-1960s, the film introduces us to two travelling carnival workers: Betty Likens (Rosemont) and hubby Lester (Searcy). The two decide to leave their two daughters, Sylvia (Page) and Jennie (McFarland), with a complete stranger: single mother Gertrude Baniszewski (Keener). On the condition that she receives frequent payments, Gertrude agrees to take care of Sylvia and Jennie. However, the extensive Baniszewski clan do not kindly welcome their two newest additions. Times are tough, and the overload of children burden Gertrude's emotional state. What materialises are three terrifying months of riveting and horrific torture: Sylvia is kept in the basement...constantly tortured by the family or neighbourhood kids that had little hesitation in burning her or branding her using hot wire. These three months of escalating horror leaves one child dead and the other mentally scarred for life.

For a moderately low-key production, An American Crime adeptly tackles its subject matter. It's a period piece that accurately captures the atmosphere, look and panorama of a standard American community. The costumes, sets, props, character traits and music all reflect the 1960s with overwhelming authenticity. Furthermore, the scenes depicting Sylvia's torture are absolutely heart-wrenching. Not so much relying on explicit imagery, the director instead insinuates what's occurring. We hear Sylvia's piercing scream as a flaming cigarette butt is brushed against her tender skin, or we see a metal wire being heated with a lighter before being pressed into Sylvia's stomach. The images that are conjured up will haunt and disturb you for a very long time.

Director Tommy O'Haver (yes, that guy who directed Ella Enchanted) is also never afraid to adopt an artistic license. Towards the end, a straightforward dream sequence succeeds in conveying the director's view of a person's final moments when their mind is disorientated and they're close to death. Like I stated before, though, the film could have been far superior had the script stayed closer to the events.

Full credit must be given to the entire cast who offer superb performances. Catherine Keener was reluctant to accept the role of mentally unstable Gertrude Baniszewski. She eventually accepted the role...and produced impeccable results. Keener's screen presence is terrifying. Worse yet she's incredibly nonchalant while torturing Sylvia, and continually acts innocent. Keener's Gertrude ostensibly never realises the full impact of her disciplining as she encouraged neighbourhood children to torture Sylvia.
Ellen Page is best known for her break-out performances in Juno and Hard Candy. However, this could be Page's finest hour. She's in her early 20s, yet she always feels like a 16-year-old teenager. If one examines photos of the real Sylvia Likens, Page's portrayal seems even better.
Rounding out the cast are a few famous faces, such as an underused James Franco. All the supporting characters wonderfully embody the components of a 1960s suburban district.

Overall, An American Crime is an important film that puts forth a ruthless depiction of an astonishing occurrence. The entire creative team should be extolled for their courage in undertaking the subject matter. The film isn't for everyone. Due to the heavy material, it's extremely hard to stomach and will stick with you forever. The filmmakers made no attempt to dilute an innocent teenage girl being murdered in a cold, maniacal, calculated manner, although there are a few additional things that should have been included.

8.1/10