An American Crime

An American Crime, released in 2007, is a remarkable but shocking drama directed by Tommy O'Haver. Despite its heartwrenching and dreadful subject, the film captures the audience's attention with its brilliant performances and meticulous storytelling. Elliot Page, Hayley McFarland, and Nick Searcy are among the cast of this movie, which is based on a notoriously sensational criminal case from the 1960s.

In An American Crime, Elliot Page, known for Juno and The Umbrella Academy, plays the role of young Sylvia Likens, catapulting the viewers on a journey packed with intense emotions and thoughtful subtlety. Sylvia Likens and her younger sister, Jenny, played by Hayley McFarland, came from a modest, constantly travelling carnival family. They are left by their parents in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski, a seemingly innocent single mother of seven, portrayed by Catherine Keener who delivered one of the most chilling performances of her career.

Catherine Keener's character, Gertrude, is an exhausted, struggling woman, whose financial and emotional instability lead her down a dark path. Gertrude's initial acts of kindness towards Sylvia and Jenny quickly turn malevolent and grotesque. This character transformation is portrayed in a terrifyingly realistic manner, with a commendable performance by Keener. The film takes a severe turn as it enters into the dynamics of manipulation, escalating bullying, and the horrifying hallways of physical and psychological torment.

Elliot Page powerfully portrays Sylvia's struggle, strength, and vulnerability. Despite the harsh conditions of her character’s life in the film, Page manages to communicate Sylvia's essence in a tender and resilient light, presenting the poignant tale of a girl who suffers yet remains hopeful. On the other hand, Hayley McFarland's role as Jenny forms the emotional core of the narrative as she is trapped in a frightening situation, wanting to help her sister but being too physically handicapped to do so.

The supporting cast, including Nick Searcy, not only amplifies the main narrative but also reinforces the intricate depiction of the society these characters exist in. It lays bare the dysfunctional familial structure, woefully weak social services and the alarming disregard towards child protection, which ultimately feeds into the tragic incidents in the film.

An American Crime is grueling, occasionally gruesome, and showcases a dire situation, meticulously breaking down the notion of humanity in the process. It's a brave portrayal of a dark chapter in American history, managing to spotlight how good people end up in unthinkable circumstances due to a lack of societal safety protocols and moralistic judgment.

One of the most compelling aspects of An American Crime is the narrational point of view. It's a non-linear narrative told in part through courtroom testimonies, keeping the audience engaged and allowing the film to alternate between the raw ramifications of events and the subsequent legal proceedings. The film unfolds like a jigsaw puzzle, stitching together fragments of a crime as seen and experienced by multiple people.

The film's technical aspects, such as cinematography, direction, and production design, cohesively work together to create a chillingly atmospheric setting that complements the disturbing narrative. It captures the era accurately, with sets, costumes, and props that breathe life into the period-specific narrative making the viewing experience more immersive. The director, Tommy O'Haver, does an excellent job of tackling such a delicate subject matter with sensitivity and grace; his direction is pointed and unflinchingly honest.

However, it's crucial to note that due to its true crime base, An American Crime is not for the faint-hearted view. It pulls no punches in showing the grim realities and terrors inflicted on innocent girls, but at the same time, it's a film that triggers deep contemplations about morality, human nature, and societal responsibility.

By way of conclusion, An American Crime is a hair-raising film that is brilliantly written, executed, and performed. Despite its subject, this film engages, teaches, and leaves the audience introspecting long after the credits have rolled. It's a bravely handled narrative that unearths and lays bare an unimaginable reality that happened once upon a time in American history. Although a heavy watch, An American Crime is definitely a film that is worth your time.