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Review by Annie Riordan, published on September 14, 2008 It’s autumn in the mid 1960s and Lester and Betty Likens are readying to hit the carnival circuit once more, operating the concession stand which is their sole source of income. But Betty wants a more stable life for her two teenage daughters, Sylvia and Jenny. Lester hits upon a solution in the form of housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, whose oldest daughter Paula has befriended the girls. With seven kids of her own, Gertie assures Lester that two more won’t matter, and takes the girls in as boarders. But, Gertie is dangerously unstable and, as the autumn wears on, her deteriorating physical and mental health spirals out of control. When a pregnant Paula accuses Sylvia of spreading false rumors about her, Gertie loses it completely and lashes out at the innocent Sylvia full force. Locked in the basement, Sylvia becomes the favorite pastime of the Baniszewski children and their school friends, who drop by the basement after school to take turns beating Sylvia, burning her with cigarettes and watching as Gertie forces her own perverted brand of “discipline” upon the girl. Based on the true story of Sylvia Likens, An American Crime is a courtroom drama, told in flashback during the trial of Gertrude Baniszweski, whose abuse ultimately resulted in Sylvia’s death at age 16 from brain hemorrhage, shock and malnutrition. It’s a harrowing ordeal, as you know from the beginning what lies in wait for Sylvia and can only watch helplessly, your stomach sliding down into the soles of your feet as the horror unfolds. Ellen Page is perfect as the tormented Sylvia, a good girl but not sickeningly so. Her bloodcurdling screams of pain will be echoing through your head long after the end credits roll. Catherine Keener (Into The Wild) manages the damn near impossible: making her demented Gertrude a horrifyingly realistic, three dimensional woman with whom you can ultimately sympathize. The supporting cast of children and teens (including Scout Taylor-Compton of recent Halloween fame) all turn in chilling performances as the indifferent children, oblivious to Sylvia’s pain and suffering. This isn’t a movie you’re going to want to rent for entertainment purposes. It’s a harsh, hardcore tale of degradation and abuse which will squirm into your very core and stay there. See it for the awesome performances and the historical value, but be warned: it’s a truly sickening and incredibly disturbing descent into the depths of sorrow, the rape of innocence and the pure evil that exists among us. Deadly DVD Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Source: deadlydvd.com |
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© 2006-2010 Dominik Keppner
© 2006-2010 Dominik Keppner
