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:

Carnival | Single Mother | 1960s | Basement | Teenage Girl

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations

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:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (Certificate #43082) | Sweden:15 | Germany:16 | Spain:18 | Finland:K-15 | Netherlands:16 | Brazil:16 | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

First Look International

Trivia:

Ellen Page was the only choice to play Sylvia Likens.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the scene where Gertrude and Ricky are smoking together, Gertrude says, "You ain't old enough for smoke". In 1965, it was legal for minors to smoke as there was no legal smoking age.

Quotes:

Leroy K. New: Are you scared?
Gertrude Baniszewski: I've been scared about a lot of things for a long time.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Walk in Jerusalem

Poor basement girl.

"An American Crime" tells the unsettling story of Sylvia Likens.The girl was tortured to death by Gertrude Baniszewski,her children and other children from their neighborhood.Her parents,carnival workers,had left Sylvia and her sister Jenny in the care of the Baniszewski family three months before her death in exchange for twenty dollars a month.Her torture and murder were described by the prosecutor in Baniszewski's trial as "the most terrible crime ever committed in the state of Indiana".Unlike the recent adaptation of Jack Ketchum's horrific novel "The Girl Next Door" "An American Crime" follows this shocking story more closely.It uses the actual court transcripts to paint the gloomy and horrific portrait of true human depravity.The film is not as disturbing as "The Girl Next Door",but some scenes are quite upsetting and hard to watch for example when the words are being burned into Sylvia's skin.The use of suggestive violence is a wise choice.Ellen Page's leading performance is utterly believable,unfortunately the portrayal of Gertie is disappointing.She was a cruel and manipulative monster without compassion and empathy.Still I liked this film.8 out of 10.