An American Crime

An American Crime is a 2007 American drama film directed by CYLER MEDER. The movie is based on a true story, which took place in the suburban town of Indiana during the 1960s. The story revolves around Gertrude Baniszewski, played by Ellen Burstyn, a middle-aged housewife living with her daughter Paula and her grandchildren in a respectable neighborhood. The film introduces us to Sylvia Likens, a 16-year-old girl living with her sister Jenny in Gary, Indiana. They are being cared for by Gertrude's daughter Paula because their parents are away for a few months. Initially, the two girls are welcomed into the Baniszewski household, but as time passes, the dynamics change. Gertrude takes a liking to Jenny but is cold towards Sylvia, often making her do household chores and making her sleep on a mattress in the cramped basement. As the relationship between Sylvia and Gertrude deteriorates, Paula, who is a shy and vulnerable teenager, becomes increasingly sympathetic to Sylvia's plight. However, she is unable to stand up to her mother's cruel behavior. Meanwhile, Jenny becomes increasingly withdrawn and isolated, struggling to cope with the harsh living conditions. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Gertrude has a history of cruelty and abuse in her past. Her own childhood was marked by poverty and neglect, and this has led to a warped sense of compassion and empathy. She sees Sylvia as a burden and an outcast, someone who she believes deserves to be punished for her flaws. The Baniszewski household descends into chaos as Sylvia is subjected to physical and emotional abuse. Gertrude encourages her children to join in, and the situation becomes a twisted game of psychological manipulation. The family's neighbors turn a blind eye to the abuse, caught up in the false image of the perfect suburban family. As the months pass, Sylvia becomes gaunt and listless, struggling to come to terms with her new reality. She becomes increasingly withdrawn, unable to escape the abuse or seek help. Despite her desperate situation, Sylvia holds onto hope, believing that one day, she will be released from her prison. The film culminates in a tragic and disturbing finale, as Sylvia's fate is sealed. The authorities are eventually alerted to the abuse, but it is too late. The incident serves as a commentary on the darker side of suburban life, where the masks of respectability hide secrets of cruelty and neglect. Throughout the film, Ellen Burstyn delivers a tour-de-force performance, capturing the complexity and menace of Gertrude's character. Her portrayal humanizes a monster, making Gertrude a sympathetic figure, albeit a deeply flawed one. The supporting cast is equally impressive, particularly the actors who play Paula and Sylvia, whose fragile and vulnerable characters are at the heart of the film. An American Crime is a powerful exploration of the human condition, one that raises important questions about the nature of cruelty, abuse, and the darker aspects of human behavior. The film is a testament to the enduring power of true stories, which continue to shock and disturb us, even in the darkest recesses of our own imaginations.