An American Crime (2007)

Based on a true story that shocked the nation in 1965, the film recounts one of the most shocking crimes ever committed against a single victim. Sylvia (Ellen Page) and Jennie Fae Likens (Hayley McFarland), the two daughters of traveling carnival workers are left for an extended stay at the Indianapolis home of single mother Gertrude Baniszewski (Catherine Keaner) and her six children. Times are tough, and Gertrude's financial needs cause her to make this arrangement before realizing how the burden will push her unstable nature to a breaking point. What transpires in the next three months is both riveting and horrific, leaving one child dead and the rest scarred for life. Hilarity is far from ensuing in this tragic tale.

Trivia: The film is based largely on actual court transcripts from the case. Ellen Page literally starved herself for her role as Sylvia. When director Tommy O'Haver noticed she was looking thinner, he asked her if she was eating and she replied "No, because Sylvia wasn't being fed." Most of the cast were completely unaware of the real Likens murder until after they read the script. Released the same year as The Girl Next Door, which was based on a novel inspired by the Sylvia Likens murder.

I really like Ellen Page. She is such a solid actor. Most people know her from Juno but I first saw her in Hard Candy. Both amazing movies that I highly recommend, although Hard Candy is very much and adult movie so keep the youngsters away. Every movie I have seen her in has been amazing. As a movie this was as good as any of hers but The Girl Next Door was closer to the full story of this devastating murder. Usually a movie embellishes true crime giving it an intensity and terror through dramatic license. This movie actually pulled way back from the actual chilling atrocities Gertrude Baniszewski and her family committed on this girl. It even made Gertrude seem tragic instead of the evil that she was if you read the actual accounts of the torture. Most of this is from Catherine Keener who played Gertrude. So would I recommend this one? Yes, and The Girl Next Door (the one from 2007, not 2004). Both are chilling.