4/5 Disturbingly moving
  by Billy Goodheart (New Jersey, USA)
A disturbing film based on a true story about a young innocent girl becoming entangled in the wrath of an over-protective, delusional mother. Great cinematography especially at the beginning of the film. It feels very foreboding; you sense something horrible is coming, but you don't know exactly what it is or what form it will take. Later on, it brings the movie's pain and malevolence right into your face. The carousel scenes in the beginning and the end are haunting.

As I'd hoped, Ellen Page sheds her typical quirky indie girl role and assumes one much more difficult to master: that of a young, shy yet happy girl who is forced to face and endure the darkest and most evil aspects of the uptight early 1960's American household. This is easily Page and Catherine Keener's best performance to date, especially Keener, who I've always seen play a more cheerful character in previous films.

On the negative side, this probably isn't a film you'll want to watch again, as it is virtually devoid of happiness and hope. Watch An American Crime once and you'll feel disturbed, angry, and sad all at once. Definitely not a movie for those late night chill sessions with buddies, but a powerful and fascinating movie nonetheless.

4/5 Devastating film
  by Edmonson (Canada)
This was a truly disturbing film based on a true life story.

One of the most disturbing aspects of it is how the children are taught to disrespect another's life, and how easily children's amorality can lead them to do such horrible things, not to mention the horrible things done by the adult, Gertrude Baniszewski, who has Sylvia in her care.

It's nearly unbelievable if it weren't true. I'm reminded of the book "Lord of the Flies".

The very end offers a dream sequence that gives us hope and surprises us, but then leaves us in anguish once we realize what has transpired. Mercifully we are not shown Sylvia's death. One has the impression that much worse things were done to Sylvia than we are even shown in the film.

Ellen Page (Sylvia) and Catherine Keener (Gertrude) give amazing performances.

It is a story like this that makes us realize that it isn't just the ones who commit the crimes that are the criminals, but also those that look on and do nothing.

5/5 Heart wrenching
  by Rev. Hosanna Nelson (Manhattan, KS)
I, too, was abused as a child/teen. I've never felt sorry for myself as I always knew others out there had it worse than I did, all be it my abuse was bad enough. The story of this young girl's abuse is one of courage, but also one beyond tragic. It will be difficult to swallow. Not advisable for young viewers. This movie leaves you wondering why she didn't run away. The movie didn't do her injuries justice. She would've been much too fragile to do such a thing. I'm glad the movie spared us all the details, the ones it shows are horrific enough. Even though this takes place in the 60's, it's awesome for prodding us into getting involved no matter what the era. I get involved, no matter the risk. I dial 911 if nothing else. It always sits in my mind, I just might be saving a life. I wish someone had intervened for me and I know Sylvia wishes the same.

4/5 Did I see this somehwere else?
  by anniewilkes (northeast)
This stroyline sounds A LOT like from the movie-- "The Girl Next Door" is it a documentary made of it? Is it taken from that movie or vice versa? sure seems to me like same movie-different title......

5/5 Shocking movie, will keep you on edge.
  by Philip Gossett (The Deep Dark South.)
In an era of lousy movies, a lot of them, this delivers. This movie kept us on edge the whole time. True stories make the best. Sure bet here.