An American Crime is based on the true story of the murder of Sylvia Likens. The acting in the movie was superb, in particular Ellen Page and Catherine Keener. Had this been a fiction story, then the plot and characterization would be nothing short of fantastic. However, this was NOT a fiction story and what is glaringly obvious about this film is how the writers have downplayed how evil and demented Gertrude Baniszweski truly was. The story does not cover most of the brutal torture Sylvia endured on a random basis (before she was trapped in the basement). For example, in reality Gertrude had a fondness for kicking Sylvia in the crotch to the point where Sylvia's autopsy showed a shattered pubic bone.
This movie, instead, tries to portray a troubled, yet at times sympathetic, Gertrude. I don't agree with how the viewer is made to sympathize with Gertrude and to not view her not as a monster, but as a semi-normal person who was, for reasons of poverty, frustration and fear of society's judgment of her children, driven to commit this heinous crime. I know the director was trying to avoid over the top sensationalism with this story, but if you read the accounts of what ACTUALLY happened in this case, you will find this movie to be quite a dulled down version. All in all, it's worth viewing.
This movie, instead, tries to portray a troubled, yet at times sympathetic, Gertrude. I don't agree with how the viewer is made to sympathize with Gertrude and to not view her not as a monster, but as a semi-normal person who was, for reasons of poverty, frustration and fear of society's judgment of her children, driven to commit this heinous crime. I know the director was trying to avoid over the top sensationalism with this story, but if you read the accounts of what ACTUALLY happened in this case, you will find this movie to be quite a dulled down version. All in all, it's worth viewing.