El encierro

I was born in 1970 and had an Aunt that lived just down the street from the house where Sylvia and her sister were staying. When I first heard the name "Sylvia Likens" it was in a childhood chant which was very disrespectful to her life/death. When my mother heard me, she asked why I was doing that and I said it was a spooky game. She explained to me at that time that Sylvia was a real girl who lived through a horrid time. It wasn't until I was older that I found out she was murdered. Although it was a bad neighborhood, sometimes my husband and would drive by the house. Its frightening to think of what happens in our country, and in the very state I live in. I think it was important for this film to be made, especially when I read that none of the actors had heard of Sylvia's story. There is a park not far from her home that has a memorial in place for her, with her picture on it.

I rate the movie a 7, as it does introduce individuals to this most horrible series of events. However, in my opinion the movie does not portray the abuse of Sylvia Likens to the extent to fully represent the horror and suffering of her torture. In researching this case, I find the movie "light" on the true depth of this crime. Sylvia Likens had at least 100 burns, contusions, and cuts on her body when she was found. She was starved, placed in scalding baths, and suffered extreme and prolonged abuse. I'm not voyeuristic, but I think that the film really lacks the details of the sequence and scope of events to provide the emotional and intellectual impact that the Likens case calls for. In contrast, "The Girl Next Door" appears to go a little too far in portraying a couple of events that may not have happened (I hope!) - but I believe that "The Girl Next Door" will leave you with a better sense of the true nature of the tragic murder of this young girl.

AN American CRIME - CATCH IT ( B+ ) You really need a Big Heart to watch An American Crime Based upon the horrific true story of Sylvia Likens. It is known as "the single worst crime perpetrated against an individual in Indiana's history" and "the most terrible crime ever committed in the state of Indiana." Long time back I saw "The Girl Next Door" which was also based upon Sylvia Likens, where in that movie, the torture and violence was shown to its extremist way and I was troubled after watching that I returned the DVD right away, I just couldn't kept it in my Room on any chance. that much effective it was. Similar thing happened this time too, I just wanted to get over with this, though as compare to "The Girl Next Door" its less torturous but the facts and situations shown in this one are 101% true. Ellen Page was simply incredible, no wonder she is the finest young Actresses around. Her shining personality shines through it and the person heart sinks watching her suffer like that! Catherine keener rightly bring out the Evil as the frustrated and Stoned Guardian. The movie is full of talented stars like James Franco & Brian Geraghty and young stars like Scott Eastwood, Jake Daniels, Jeremy Sumpter, Michael Welch, Ari Graynor, Scout Taylor-Compton and Haylay McFarland. Must watch it though its not for the faint hearten because it a true story and it Hurts BIG Time!

First off to anyone that has, will or wants to see this film I would also suggest The Girl Next Door, which is based on the same story but takes liberties as this film does. It is very interesting to see the differences between the two interpretations of the same events. The other interesting thing is, in my opinion these movies are perfect if you put them together, everything one does wrong the other does right and visa versa. An American Crime was great in its more detailed set up to these events along with it's amazing court room scenes that added a much need closer element that The Girl Next Door was desperately lacking. On the other hand The girl Next Door was much better at visualizing the actual events, don't get me wrong what happened to this girl was horrible, but in An American Crime it was just not portrayed as well by Ellen Page. I know that sounds weird for me to say too, but I assume that it was either the directors choice or an attempt at realism, but Ellen Page's character just shut down. Were as in The Girl Next Door, we saw more of a fighter in Blythe Auffarth's portrayal of the same character, someone who was changed by the experience. Also The Girl Next Door did not shy away from the violence as An American Crime did, now for some I'm sure that is a blessing, because I have heard of several people who could not finish watching The Girl Next Door for that very reason, and because these situations all involved young kids it is completely understandable. My overall point is that together these two films would make a wonderful film, but definitely not a film for everyone. Both films still do leave me wondering, what exactly did happen, exactly, so many liberties have been taken that some of the facts are a little fuzzy.

The "disclaimer" at the end of "An American Crime" could not be more appropriate. Why does Hollywood have to make up "fake scenarios" about one of the most horrific crimes ever committed? Are the actual facts not "interesting" enough for the big screen? I can assure you, they are indeed, and need to be told. Anyone who has ever comprehensively researched this case can tell you, there is very little "fact" here. The ferocity and unrelenting cruelty of the monster "Gertrude," as well as the "enthusiasm" of the children who participated in the torture of Sylvia Likens, particularly, daughter Paula, has been falsely conveyed and greatly understated. It's really a travesty and dishonors the memory of an innocent young girl. They had a great opportunity to show the truth, and they blew it. Shame on them.