I surfed across a creepy movie on the Sleuth Channel called An American Crime. I tried not to focus on it because I was in "Sunday afternoon my weekend is almost over" multi-tasking mode but I found myself drawn to it even more after learning it was based on a true story.

The movie, based on the abuse and murder of Sylvia Likens in Indianapolis in 1965, premiered on Showtime in May 2008 after production issues by First Look Productions. The stars of the movie include Catherine Keener as Gertrude Baniszewski and Ellen Page as Sylvia Likens.  Keener received and Emmy nomination for her performance.

An American Crime is haunting and intriguing. The real-life facts of the abuse, torture and murder of Sylvia Marie Likens are more horrifying than the movie. To know that Sylvia was not only tortured by the adult in whose care she and her sister Jenny were placed, but also at the hands of children was particularly nauseating.

Related Links:

StarFiles: The 1965 murder of Sylvia Likens

The Torturing Death of Sylvia Marie Likens

Sylvia Likens Memorial Website

Sundance Review: An American Crime