American Criminals

When I saw this on itunes, I bought it straight away. I have been reading about this tragic case for many years, and also watched many documentaries. Hence, I was really looking forward to seeing this movie.

Well, I don't even think I can call it a movie. It's insulting to cinematic masterpieces like Barb Wire, Cats and Madame Web.

Everything about this awful piece of garbage is atrocious. There is no acting, people are just reading from a piece of paper. The "actors" wear modern clothes, they have modern hairstyles, the sound is horrible, and the story has no root in reality. Avoid at all cost.

Amazing story, told from the perspective of one of the killers, based on his actual book written from prison, but not glamorously. Many historic and societal themes, starting with the Leopold and Loeb case as the central story. Others include infamous lawyer Clarence Darrow in his prime, LGBTQ+ themes, racial and economic disparity and tensions in Chicago at the time (and rest of the country), among others. First time the phrase "crime of the century " was used to describe this unspeakable killing of a young boy for the thrill of it. Production quality and acting is very good, easy to be pulled into the story, which is important with any film. Well done!

This isn't a glossy Hollywood production, and I think that actually makes it work. The raw, stripped-down style of the film mirrors the rough and chaotic nature of the crime itself. It feels more authentic that way, like you're getting closer to the real story instead of a polished reenactment.

I also appreciated how the film shows Leopold and Loeb not just as "criminal masterminds," but as young men full of frustration and confusion, living in a society that mocked and rejected their true selves. The undercurrent of sexual tension and repression adds another layer-almost making the crime feel like a tragic, misguided outlet. In a strange way, it comes across as a dark and sad love story, which makes it hit even harder.

It may not be a perfect film, but it's thought-provoking and stays with you. By the end, I felt unsettled, but also like I understood them in a way I hadn't before.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film and the storytelling ability of director, Aaron Warr. What a phenomenal job by the director, producers, cast and crew and everyone who took part in this production!

I would recommend this and I appreciate that it is portrayed in such a way that viewers are able to follow the storyline from each characters perspective.

This movie drew me into the account of Bobby Franks. I loved the way it skipped around to tell the entire story. Aaron Warr did an incredible job of telling the this true historical tale by going in depth where he needed to. I felt really engaged the entire time. I purchased the movie on iTunes and will show it to my family and friends every chance I get so I can watch it again!