Being a big fan of movies based on real life events, I decided to check this one out.

For those who dont know, An American Crime is based on the brutal torture/murder of 16 year old Sylvia Likens in Indiana 1965.
The daughters of carnies, Sylvia and her younger sister Jenny are taken into the care of a neighbour/single 'mother' of seven- Gertrude Baniszewski. The movie documents the abuse Sylvia went through during her time at the house up until her death a few months later; beaten, starved and locked in the basement for days.
This movie isn't easy to sit through, for those that have seen this already know..the hot needle scene was pretty horrific. I know it left me feeling enraged at times and crying like a baby afterwards so be warned if you do decide to watch!
Incredible acting from Ellen Page as Sylvia..Most people know her best playing the typical 'tough talking teenager' roles in Juno/Smart People...so I think this is one that shows her talent best when given the right script to stretch her a bit more.

okay so this is long-winded...haha! Anyone that has seen the movie, what are your thoughts?

Thanks for the review because I debated getting this movie but ended up going with August instead, which I must warn is a HORRIBLE movie! I wish I picked American Crime instead. I'll definitely get it next week though.

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That rug really tied the room together.

i just watched this yesterday, weird. Pretty awesome movie i liked it a lot. but i think you're overrating Ellen's acting. it's good but nothing AMAZING. i think Catherine Keener did a much better acting job

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will

foreverendeared wrote: i just watched this yesterday, weird. Pretty awesome movie i liked it a lot. but i think you're overrating Ellen's acting. it's good but nothing AMAZING. i think Catherine Keener did a much better acting job

sure, thats your opinion..I do agree Catherine also put in a great performance. :]

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Wrecked 'Em?, Damn Near Killed 'Em!

I know the court scenes were all taken word for word from actual court transcripts, but if the rest of the movie is even close to accurate, those are some of the sickest events that I've ever heard about. The abuse that Sylvia had to endure for doing absolutely nothing is unreal. The scene with the soda bottle shocked the hell out of me. I watched a video on YouTube about Sylvia Likens, and the video said that she was also forced to eat her own feces. I felt so bad for her as I watched An American Crime. Afterwards, I don't think I talked to anyone for over a day. The movie really makes you wonder about a lot of things. Everything in this world has gotten worse over the last 40 years, so I don't want to even imagine what is going on down the street today. Gertrude died five years after being paroled from prison, but she should have definitely been given the death sentence for what she did. With all the witnesses, it should have been an open and shut case. At the very least, she should have never seen the light of day again. I'm a huge Catherine Keener fan, but her performance in An American Crime was extremely hard to watch. I guess that just means it was brilliant work. Also, Ellen Page is NOT overrated. She is easily one of the best actresses out there today. She showed what she could do in Hard Candy and has just gotten even better since then. She made you feel like you were there for every punch, kick, and burn. I almost couldn't take the branding scene and I was in the comforts of my own living room. I hated all those people who just stood around and didn't help her. I wasn't familiar with the story before watching the movie, so coming out of the dream sequence also really upset me. I don't know why everyone did whatever Gertrude said to do. There didn't seem to be any explanation for her having that much power over people. Anyway, anyone who is curious about the shameful side of America should rent this one. It will surely wake you up out of your oblivion.

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Of course I'm crazy, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong.

i agree that ellen page's acting isn't amazing.... in fact, it's kind of blah.

as for the events that took place. something that graphic that so many people knew about would not be realistic today. kids are more educated nowadays and with all the media coverage and societal coverage of abuse, sexual predators, etc. etc. plus, most of the nation not only acknowledge this is wrong, but many parents over-react and consider everything borderline child abuse.

i felt angry watching this movie about how any of those kids would think this is ok simply because the adult-figure thought it was right. but, i'm glad i watched it.

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i'm more rad than you. deal with it.

It was either Fangoria or Rue-Morgue that talked about this movie being great

I wanna see it

Is anywhere as hard to watch as "The Girl Next Door"?

I thought that movie was excelent, but it was definantly a one time is enough watch

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[21:31] saramazing: Who run this bitch? Ron runs this bitch.