Um Crime Americano

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.

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.

Let me begin by saying, I believe this story is one that everyone should be familiar with. And for that, I would recommend people see this movie. But I do not think the film, in itself, was the quality I would've liked it to be.

The scenes seem to be too conservative at times. And the flashbacks to what had happened, previously, give the viewer an outside perspective of things. And it is that omniscient point of view that keeps the viewer from really becoming involved in the story.

I think Ellen Page did an incredible job of acting. And I truly love her movies. But I wonder if the people making this film were so afraid of insulting certain persons that they did not want to submerge themselves into a truly emotional reenactment of what had actually happened.

Bottom line: If you want a story that is presented to you in segments, then by all means, watch this movie. But if you want a truly disturbing film that puts you in the eyes of the victim, and makes you feel sick to your stomach... then there are other movies based on the same event that are much more involved!!!

First of all someone said " The Girl Next Door" wasn't based on actual events .You'd have to be oblivious not to see it's based on this case with some minor changes.

I feel that The Girl Next Door is a much more disturbing film then An American Crime because the degree of abuse is much more accurate in relation to what happened in real life.

Also I was somewhat disturbed that the the director tried to show Gertrude in a somewhat sympathetic light as if he was trying to make some sort of feminist statement that Gertrude was a victim of 50's male oppression.In reality she was a sexual sadist of unspeakable proportions.

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.