An American Crime (2007)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Tommy O'Haver

Writers (WGA):

Tommy O'Haver (written by) &
Irene Turner (written by)

Release Date:

7 December 2007 (Sweden)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

This has been the most terrible crime ever committed in the state of Indiana

Plot:

The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s.

Plot Keywords:

Torture | Narration From The Grave | Female Killer | Money Problems | Poverty

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Ellen Page	...	Sylvia Likens
Hayley McFarland	...	Jennifer Faye 'Jennie' Likens
Nick Searcy	...	Lester Likens
Romy Rosemont	...	Betty Likens
Catherine Keener	...	Gertrude Baniszewski
Ari Graynor	...	Paula Baniszewski
Scout Taylor-Compton	...	Stephanie Baniszewski
Tristan Jarred	...	Johnny Baniszewski
Hannah Leigh Dworkin	...	Shirley Baniszewski
Bradley Whitford	...	Prosecutor Leroy K. New
Michael O'Keefe	...	Reverend Bill Collier
Carlie Westerman	...	Marie Baniszewski
Michelle Benes	...	Hope Orbach
Patricia Place	...	Mrs. Doyle
Calvin Keet	...	Mr. Doyle

Also Known As:

The Basement (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong and disturbing depiction of child abuse and torture.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

USA:R | Sweden:15 | Germany:16 | Spain:18 | Finland:K-15 | Netherlands:16 | Brazil:16

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

First Look International

Trivia:

Most of the cast were completely unaware of the real Likens murder until after they read the script.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In a scene set in 1965, a character rushes into a phone booth and dials for an operator without inserting a coin. The free operator call feature was not instituted until many years later.

Quotes:

Gertrude Baniszewski: There are things in life we have to do, whether we like it or not.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (2008) (TV)

Soundtrack:

You Don't Own Me

A Truly Disturbing Story That Everyone Should Know About!!!!

Let me begin by saying, I believe this story is one that everyone should be familiar with. And for that, I would recommend people see this movie. But I do not think the film, in itself, was the quality I would've liked it to be.

The scenes seem to be too conservative at times. And the flashbacks to what had happened, previously, give the viewer an outside perspective of things. And it is that omniscient point of view that keeps the viewer from really becoming involved in the story.

I think Ellen Page did an incredible job of acting. And I truly love her movies. But I wonder if the people making this film were so afraid of insulting certain persons that they did not want to submerge themselves into a truly emotional reenactment of what had actually happened.

Bottom line: If you want a story that is presented to you in segments, then by all means, watch this movie. But if you want a truly disturbing film that puts you in the eyes of the victim, and makes you feel sick to your stomach... then there are other movies based on the same event that are much more involved!!!