I somehow managed to watch AN AMERICAN CRIME and felt compelled to write something about what happened to Sylvia Likens. What makes this movie so disturbing is that it is based on a true story. And nobody helped Sylvia - even her own church ignored the signs that something wicked was happening to her. The poor child was sinned against in every conceivable way...
I was only able to watch it once - mainly because I'd done a lot of research on the true story (as you did), and it was too disturbing to me. I lost a lot of sleep and had many nightmares. Many people were in a position to save Sylvia, yet nobody did. That's what saddens me the most.
I agree that the movie toned down the real story big time. But my guess is that the director and script writers knew if they included everything - not many people would want to watch a movie (based on a true story) about a young girl that was tortured and ultimately murdered by several people, and how her family and community did not do enough to save her. That's the tragedy of Sylvia Likens.
P.S. Just curious, what do you feel could have been done to make AN AMERICAN CRIME a great movie? Do you think Ellen Page is as awesome as I do :-)
Sorry I've been MIA, and yes Ellen page is amazing,she did it so well, all characters were chosen well, and I guess your right, too much truth could have maybe killed the movie but some Uss like that sort of thing. I turned away a few times at some scenes but these are my type of movies,
To make it a little better, I think extend the movie a little bit and add a little bit more of the events, or rather extend on some of the events that did take place with great detail, or a little more detail, maybe I'm asking for too much, or little too opinionated, what you think?
Yikes! Now you got me speechless :-) Have you watched THE GIRL NEXT DOOR? It also was totally loosely based on what happened to Sylvia Likens. I stopped watching the movie after 30 minutes. It really is nothing more (IMO) than a snuff film. And it made me very sad to think that Sylvia's tragedy had inspired it.
Sylvia Likens story has yet to be honestly told...
Yep, I like you, you just get it* it's actually funny, no one in my world talks movie or research like you and I, I love this world of blogers it really has become my place of comfort, the kind of conversations id like to have with someone who lived near in person_ haha oh well...
I like you too :-) I love movies and plays, so believe it or not - there's not many to discuss the best and worst of the fine arts here. It's all about gossip - and I care not to diminish myself with such childish nonsense :-)
I need more of your kind of mentally in my ora, mys space your thoughts give positive energy, it's sometimes good to think different than the usual. (Steve Jobs)
I somehow managed to watch AN AMERICAN CRIME and felt compelled to write something about what happened to Sylvia Likens. What makes this movie so disturbing is that it is based on a true story. And nobody helped Sylvia - even her own church ignored the signs that something wicked was happening to her. The poor child was sinned against in every conceivable way...
ReplyDeleteSad
ReplyDeleteTotally :-(
ReplyDeleteI cry every time I watch it_the execution of the movie was well, however after doing some research on the story I realised it could have been great,
ReplyDeleteI was only able to watch it once - mainly because I'd done a lot of research on the true story (as you did), and it was too disturbing to me. I lost a lot of sleep and had many nightmares. Many people were in a position to save Sylvia, yet nobody did. That's what saddens me the most.
DeleteI agree that the movie toned down the real story big time. But my guess is that the director and script writers knew if they included everything - not many people would want to watch a movie (based on a true story) about a young girl that was tortured and ultimately murdered by several people, and how her family and community did not do enough to save her. That's the tragedy of Sylvia Likens.
P.S. Just curious, what do you feel could have been done to make AN AMERICAN CRIME a great movie? Do you think Ellen Page is as awesome as I do :-)
Sorry I've been MIA, and yes Ellen page is amazing,she did it so well, all characters were chosen well, and I guess your right, too much truth could have maybe killed the movie but some Uss like that sort of thing. I turned away a few times at some scenes but these are my type of movies,
ReplyDeleteTo make it a little better, I think extend the movie a little bit and add a little bit more of the events, or rather extend on some of the events that did take place with great detail, or a little more detail, maybe I'm asking for too much, or little too opinionated, what you think?
Yikes! Now you got me speechless :-) Have you watched THE GIRL NEXT DOOR? It also was totally loosely based on what happened to Sylvia Likens. I stopped watching the movie after 30 minutes. It really is nothing more (IMO) than a snuff film. And it made me very sad to think that Sylvia's tragedy had inspired it.
ReplyDeleteSylvia Likens story has yet to be honestly told...
Yep, I like you, you just get it* it's actually funny, no one in my world talks movie or research like you and I, I love this world of blogers it really has become my place of comfort, the kind of conversations id like to have with someone who lived near in person_ haha oh well...
ReplyDeleteI like you too :-) I love movies and plays, so believe it or not - there's not many to discuss the best and worst of the fine arts here. It's all about gossip - and I care not to diminish myself with such childish nonsense :-)
DeleteI need more of your kind of mentally in my ora, mys space your thoughts give positive energy, it's sometimes good to think different than the usual. (Steve Jobs)
ReplyDelete