In 1965, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the teenager Sylvia (Ellen Page) and her fragile sister Jennie Faye Likens (Hayley McFarland) befriend the children of the single mother Gertrude Baniszewski (Catherine Keener) in the church. Their parents Lester (Nick Searcy) and Betty Likens (Romy Rosemont) offer twenty dollars per week to the dysfunctional and needy Gertrude to lodge and take care of their daughters while they work in a traveling Carnival. When Gertrude's daughter Paula (Ari Graynor) tells in confidence to Sylvia that she is pregnant of a married man called Bradley (Brian Geraghty), Sylvia defends Paula against her lover disclosing the secret and their neighbor Ricky Hobbs (Evan Peters) overhears the argument. Sooner the rumor spreads in the high-school and neighborhood of Paula, who tells her mother that Sylvia is gossiping against her. The sadistic and evil Gertrude decides to punish Sylvia in her descent to hell.
First of all, I must confess that "An American Crime" disturbed me. Based on the true story of a hideous crime judged in April 1966, this movie discloses the story of a poor girl that was abused, tortured, humiliated and killed by a dysfunctional and despicable family of monsters and their non-different friends. In spite of being a drama, this movie is scarier than most of the horror movies because it is simple and real, therefore credible; and recommended for very specific audiences. The future star Ellen Page, the always excellent Catherine Keener and the novice Tristan Jarred give performances that worth nominations to the Oscar. The screenplay beginning in the trial of Gertrude Baniszewski uses flashback to tell the sad story of Sylvia Likens keeps the attention until the very last scene; Ellen Page's character is charismatic and sweet while Gertrude and their children, their friends and even Jennie for her omission and fear are despicable monsters. Again, I am fan of horror genre but I was emotionally shaken with Sylvia Likens' fate. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Um Crime Americano" ("An American Crime")
First of all, I must confess that "An American Crime" disturbed me. Based on the true story of a hideous crime judged in April 1966, this movie discloses the story of a poor girl that was abused, tortured, humiliated and killed by a dysfunctional and despicable family of monsters and their non-different friends. In spite of being a drama, this movie is scarier than most of the horror movies because it is simple and real, therefore credible; and recommended for very specific audiences. The future star Ellen Page, the always excellent Catherine Keener and the novice Tristan Jarred give performances that worth nominations to the Oscar. The screenplay beginning in the trial of Gertrude Baniszewski uses flashback to tell the sad story of Sylvia Likens keeps the attention until the very last scene; Ellen Page's character is charismatic and sweet while Gertrude and their children, their friends and even Jennie for her omission and fear are despicable monsters. Again, I am fan of horror genre but I was emotionally shaken with Sylvia Likens' fate. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Um Crime Americano" ("An American Crime")