The Horrifying True Crime Story Of Sylvia Likens: An American Tragedy

What is "an american crime sylvia likens movie"?

"An American Crime" is a 2007 American true crime drama film directed by Tommy O'Haver and starring Ellen Page, Catherine Keener, James Franco, and Evan Peters. The film is based on the of Sylvia Likens, a 16-year-old girl who was tortured and murdered by Gertrude Baniszewski and her children in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1965.

The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $12 million worldwide against a production budget of $2 million. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Page, Best Supporting Actress for Keener, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

"An American Crime" is a powerful and disturbing film that shines a light on the dark side of human nature. The film is a must-see for anyone interested in true crime or the history of American violence.

Here are some of the main topics that are discussed in the film:

• The life and death of Sylvia Likens
• The role of Gertrude Baniszewski and her children in Likens' murder
• The social and cultural context of the crime
• The impact of the crime on the victims' families and the community

An American Crime

"An American Crime" is a 2007 American true crime drama film that tells the harrowing story of the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens. The film is a powerful exploration of violence, abuse, and the dark side of human nature.

• Tragic: The film is a tragic story of a young girl's life cut short.
• Disturbing: The film is a disturbing and difficult watch, but it is an important story to tell.
• Powerful: The film is a powerful indictment of violence and abuse.
• Thought-provoking: The film is a thought-provoking exploration of the dark side of human nature.
• Essential: The film is an essential viewing for anyone interested in true crime or the history of American violence.

The film's cast includes Ellen Page as Sylvia Likens, Catherine Keener as Gertrude Baniszewski, James Franco as Richard Hobbs, and Evan Peters as Coy Hubbard. The film was directed by Tommy O'Haver and written by O'Haver and Irene Turner. "An American Crime" was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $12 million worldwide against a production budget of $2 million. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Page, Best Supporting Actress for Keener, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

| Name | Role | | ----------- | ----------- | | Ellen Page | Sylvia Likens | | Catherine Keener | Gertrude Baniszewski | | James Franco | Richard Hobbs | | Evan Peters | Coy Hubbard | | Tommy O'Haver | Director | | Irene Turner | Writer |

Tragic

The film "An American Crime" is a tragic story of a young girl's life cut short. Sylvia Likens was a 16-year-old girl who was tortured and murdered by Gertrude Baniszewski and her children in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1965. The film tells the story of Sylvia's life and death, and the impact of the crime on her family and the community.

• The loss of innocence: Sylvia Likens was a young girl with her whole life ahead of her. Her murder was a senseless and tragic waste of potential.
• The pain of the family: Sylvia's family was devastated by her death. Her parents, Lester and Betty Likens, were never able to get over the loss of their daughter.
• The impact on the community: The murder of Sylvia Likens shocked the community of Indianapolis. It was a reminder that violence and abuse can happen anywhere.
• The need for justice: Gertrude Baniszewski and her children were convicted of Sylvia Likens' murder. They were sentenced to life in prison.

The film "An American Crime" is a powerful and disturbing reminder of the dark side of human nature. It is a film that will stay with you long after you watch it.

Disturbing

The film "An American Crime" is a disturbing and difficult watch. It is a film that will stay with you long after you watch it. But it is also an important story to tell.

• The film sheds light on a dark chapter in American history. The murder of Sylvia Likens was a horrific crime that shocked the nation. The film tells the story of this crime and its impact on the victims and their families.
• The film is a reminder that violence and abuse can happen anywhere. The murder of Sylvia Likens was not an isolated incident. It is a reminder that violence and abuse can happen anywhere, even in small towns like Indianapolis.
• The film is a call to action. The murder of Sylvia Likens is a tragedy. But it is also a call to action. We must all work to prevent violence and abuse from happening in our communities.

The film "An American Crime" is a powerful and important film. It is a film that will disturb you, but it is also a film that will stay with you long after you watch it. It is a film that we all need to see.

Powerful

"An American Crime" is a powerful indictment of violence and abuse. The film does not shy away from the horrific details of Sylvia Likens' murder, and it forces the audience to confront the dark side of human nature. The film is a powerful reminder that violence and abuse are never acceptable, and that we must all work to prevent them from happening.

The film's indictment of violence and abuse is particularly effective because it is based on a true story. The murder of Sylvia Likens was a horrific crime, and the film does not shy away from the details. The film shows the audience the physical and psychological torture that Sylvia Likens endured, and it forces the audience to confront the evil that is capable of existing in the world.

The film's indictment of violence and abuse is also effective because it is told from the perspective of the victims. The film shows the audience the impact of violence and abuse on Sylvia Likens and her family. The film shows how violence and abuse can destroy lives, and it forces the audience to confront the human cost of violence.

"An American Crime" is a powerful and important film that shines a light on the dark side of human nature. The film is a reminder that violence and abuse are never acceptable, and that we must all work to prevent them from happening.

Thought-provoking

The film "An American Crime" is a thought-provoking exploration of the dark side of human nature. The film tells the story of the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens, a 16-year-old girl who was killed by Gertrude Baniszewski and her children in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1965.

The film is a powerful indictment of violence and abuse, and it forces the audience to confront the evil that is capable of existing in the world. The film is also a thought-provoking exploration of the dark side of human nature. It raises questions about the nature of evil, the role of society in preventing violence, and the importance of compassion and understanding.

The film is a reminder that violence and abuse are never acceptable, and that we must all work to prevent them from happening. It is also a reminder that we all have the potential for good and evil, and that it is important to choose the path of compassion and understanding.

Essential

The film "An American Crime" is an essential viewing for anyone interested in true crime or the history of American violence. The film is a powerful and disturbing account of the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens, a 16-year-old girl who was killed by Gertrude Baniszewski and her children in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1965.

The film is essential viewing for anyone interested in true crime because it is a well-made and accurate account of a horrific crime. The film does not shy away from the details of Sylvia Likens' murder, and it forces the audience to confront the evil that is capable of existing in the world.

The film is also essential viewing for anyone interested in the history of American violence because it is a reminder that violence is not a new phenomenon in the United States. The murder of Sylvia Likens was a horrific crime, but it was not an isolated incident. The film is a reminder that violence has been a part of American history since the country's founding, and that it continues to be a problem today.

The film "An American Crime" is a powerful and disturbing film, but it is also an important film. The film is a reminder that violence and abuse are never acceptable, and that we must all work to prevent them from happening.

FAQs about "An American Crime"

Question 1: What is "An American Crime" about?

An American Crime is a 2007 American true crime drama film that tells the harrowing story of the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens. The film is a powerful exploration of violence, abuse, and the dark side of human nature.

Question 2: Who directed "An American Crime"?

An American Crime was directed by Tommy O'Haver.

Question 3: Who stars in "An American Crime"?

The film stars Ellen Page as Sylvia Likens, Catherine Keener as Gertrude Baniszewski, James Franco as Richard Hobbs, and Evan Peters as Coy Hubbard.

Question 4: Is "An American Crime" based on a true story?

Yes, the film is based on the real-life murder of Sylvia Likens in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1965.

Question 5: What are the main themes of "An American Crime"?

The main themes of the film include violence, abuse, the dark side of human nature, and the impact of crime on victims and their families.

Question 6: Why is "An American Crime" considered an important film?

The film is considered an important film because it sheds light on a dark chapter in American history, reminds us that violence and abuse can happen anywhere, and calls us to action to prevent violence and abuse from happening in our communities.

Conclusion

"An American Crime" is a powerful and disturbing film that tells the story of the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens. The film is a powerful indictment of violence and abuse, and it forces the audience to confront the dark side of human nature. The film is also a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of evil, the role of society in preventing violence, and the importance of compassion and understanding.

The film is a reminder that violence and abuse are never acceptable, and that we must all work to prevent them from happening. It is also a reminder that we all have the potential for good and evil, and that it is important to choose the path of compassion and understanding.