This is based on the transcripts of the 1966 case Baniszewski v. The State of Indiana. The Likens are carnival workers and new in town. The father eagerly leaves his daughters Sylvia (Ellen Page) and Jennie (Hayley McFarland) with relative stranger Gertrude Baniszewski (Catherine Keener) for $20 a week. Jennie is disabled from polio. When the next cheque doesn't come on time, the troubled Gertrude beats Sylvia. Sylvia befriends oldest Baniszewski children Paula (Ari Graynor). Sylvia lets out Paula's secret pregnancy. Paula lies and complains to her deteriorating mother. This leads to ever-escalating punishments. The second daughter Stephanie Baniszewski (Scout Taylor-Compton) invites her boyfriend and other neighborhood kids over to add to the abuse. Ricky Hobbs (Evan Peters) has a crush on Sylvia and Gertrude convinces him to join. The abuse would culminate at the end of the three month stay.

This is a harrowing story. There is good acting led by Catherine Keener. It is a fairly straight-forward telling except for an odd turn near the end. There is a way to add drama by having a possible rescue closing in on the situation but the movie doesn't concentrate on that to its detriment. There is also limitations on the violence which is central to the case. Despite Keener's great acting, the situation could be even scarier. It could definitely be more claustrophobic.

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")

Although obviously the title does give away a bit of what might happen in the film, it does not prepare you for what you'll eventually see. Another user stated it good, when he said, that it's important to see it, even if you have a hard time stomaching it. It's not your typical fairy tale movie, not even close to that. By the time the end credits roll, you will feel anger, pain and maybe even numbness. And maybe other things too, that I haven't mentioned ... Why watch it anyway (if you haven't already)? And if you haven't, again the warning, the next paragraph is filled with spoilers!

Because it does show human nature in it's most despicable way possible. I just hated most of the characters on screen, for either being passive or (sometimes) active ... the most disturbing scene (apart from the death scene),is the scene, where the main character gets beaten by every guest that comes into the house ... I cringed while I watched this ... It's almost unbearable, not for what it shows on screen (it's not really explicit as some other recent movies are),but more psychological ... There are no words to describe the movie properly, but you have to be aware, this isn't meant to be a fun ride ...