I was born in 1970 and had an Aunt that lived just down the street from the house where Sylvia and her sister were staying. When I first heard the name "Sylvia Likens" it was in a childhood chant which was very disrespectful to her life/death. When my mother heard me, she asked why I was doing that and I said it was a spooky game. She explained to me at that time that Sylvia was a real girl who lived through a horrid time. It wasn't until I was older that I found out she was murdered. Although it was a bad neighborhood, sometimes my husband and would drive by the house. Its frightening to think of what happens in our country, and in the very state I live in. I think it was important for this film to be made, especially when I read that none of the actors had heard of Sylvia's story. There is a park not far from her home that has a memorial in place for her, with her picture on it.

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 ...