Movie: An American Crime - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 08-26-2008, 11:11 PM

Has anyone seen it? True story. It's very difficult to watch, and truly heartbreaking. Ellen Page delivered a rivoting performance. I recommend it.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Synopsis

Based on a true story that gripped the nation in 1965, 'An American Crime' recounts one of the most shocking crimes ever committed against a single victim. The daughters of traveling carnival workers are left for an extended stay at the suburban Indiana home of single mother Gertrude Baniszewski and her seven children. Times are tough, and Gertrude's needs force her to accept this arrangement before understanding how the burden will push her already-fragile nature to a breaking point. What transpires is both riveting and horrific, leaving one child dead and the rest scarred for life.

Even though a complete reversal of the type of film you expect from him, it becomes clear immediately that 'An American Crime' is a film Tommy O'Haver was destined to make. With profound skill, he controls the complex narrative, the historic period, and a cast of more than a dozen talented child actors. Casting Catherine Keener as Gertrude was his first brilliant idea. With spellbinding clarity, her Gertrude oozes with squelched sexual desire and shifting levels of insanity and evil. She has the uncanny ability to make you empathize even when she encourages the family and neighborhood children to participate in unthinkable activities. The proof? Even though you know the outcome, in a weak moment, you can actually believe her lies. -

Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford, James Franco, Ellen Page, Ari Graynor

TJL · 08-28-2008, 07:19 PM

I saw this movie a few months back when it premiered on cable.

A really powerful film. At times very hard to watch. It's sad to think that the events depicted in this movie are based on real events.

Well worth watching but it's pretty strong stuff.

Janice · 08-28-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

I saw this movie a few months back when it premiered on cable.

A really powerful film. At times very hard to watch. It's sad to think that the events depicted in this movie are based on real events.

Well worth watching but it's pretty strong stuff.

Very true, Tom. It's the sort of movie that stays with a person for a bit. It took me a few days to shake it. I don't know if Ellen Page won or can win anything for the movie, but she deserves awards for that heartbreaking performance. Same goes for Catherine Keener, who played the crazed mother.

TJL · 09-02-2008, 11:14 PM

I bumped this thread back up Janice to mention that I looked up the case this film was based on, and believe me, the film only scratched the surface of what actually happened to this poor girl. I doubt this film would have ever been made if they showed everything that happened.

Also, the filmmakers tried to be a more sympathetic with the Gertrude character, but from what i read in real life she was a remorseless psycho.

HuntingtonM15 · 09-03-2008, 12:07 AM

I am a massive Catherine Keener fan, and have been looking forward to this for a while. Somehow, its DVD release slipped on by without me knowing. I'll have to rent it soon!

TJL · 09-03-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

I am a massive Catherine Keener fan, and have been looking forward to this for a while. Somehow, its DVD release slipped on by without me knowing. I'll have to rent it soon!

It's a tough movie to watch.

Don't say we didn't warn you.

HuntingtonM15 · 09-06-2008, 03:46 PM

I loved it. Yes, it was quite hard to watch at times but it was incredibly well done. I'm also not sure what awards it will be eligible for, but if it is, I really hope it's not overlooked come Oscar time.

HuntingtonM15 · 09-06-2008, 06:11 PM

Oh, I guess because it was first released to TV (I don't think it was originally supposed to be), it is eligible for Emmy's. Catherine Keener is up for one, but for some reason Ellen didn't get a nod.

08-26-2008, 11:11 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Movie: An American Crime Has anyone seen it? True story. It's very difficult to watch, and truly heartbreaking. Ellen Page delivered a rivoting performance. I recommend it. SPOILERS AHEAD Synopsis Based on a true story that gripped the nation in 1965, 'An American Crime' recounts one of the most shocking crimes ever committed against a single victim. The daughters of traveling carnival workers are left for an extended stay at the suburban Indiana home of single mother Gertrude Baniszewski and her seven children. Times are tough, and Gertrude's needs force her to accept this arrangement before understanding how the burden will push her already-fragile nature to a breaking point. What transpires is both riveting and horrific, leaving one child dead and the rest scarred for life. Even though a complete reversal of the type of film you expect from him, it becomes clear immediately that 'An American Crime' is a film Tommy O'Haver was destined to make. With profound skill, he controls the complex narrative, the historic period, and a cast of more than a dozen talented child actors. Casting Catherine Keener as Gertrude was his first brilliant idea. With spellbinding clarity, her Gertrude oozes with squelched sexual desire and shifting levels of insanity and evil. She has the uncanny ability to make you empathize even when she encourages the family and neighborhood children to participate in unthinkable activities. The proof? Even though you know the outcome, in a weak moment, you can actually believe her lies. - Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford, James Franco, Ellen Page, Ari Graynor Attached Images

08-28-2008, 07:19 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	I saw this movie a few months back when it premiered on cable. A really powerful film. At times very hard to watch. It's sad to think that the events depicted in this movie are based on real events. Well worth watching but it's pretty strong stuff.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

09-02-2008, 11:14 PM	#4
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	I bumped this thread back up Janice to mention that I looked up the case this film was based on, and believe me, the film only scratched the surface of what actually happened to this poor girl. I doubt this film would have ever been made if they showed everything that happened. Also, the filmmakers tried to be a more sympathetic with the Gertrude character, but from what i read in real life she was a remorseless psycho.

09-03-2008, 12:07 AM	#5
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	I am a massive Catherine Keener fan, and have been looking forward to this for a while. Somehow, its DVD release slipped on by without me knowing. I'll have to rent it soon!

09-06-2008, 03:46 PM	#7
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	I loved it. Yes, it was quite hard to watch at times but it was incredibly well done. I'm also not sure what awards it will be eligible for, but if it is, I really hope it's not overlooked come Oscar time.

09-06-2008, 06:11 PM	#8
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	Oh, I guess because it was first released to TV (I don't think it was originally supposed to be), it is eligible for Emmy's. Catherine Keener is up for one, but for some reason Ellen didn't get a nod.