Comments on: The Sad Case of Sylvia Likens http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:57:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Random Person http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-2553 Random Person Wed, 07 May 2008 06:50:42 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-2553 I have to say that I thoroughly was engrossed from beginning to end of of both movies. I was bawling in the one with Ellen Page though. More from tears of injustice and grief if anything else. (Sorry, I get sentimental.) Seeing since the script from the court scenes are based on the original court documents, I am at a loss for words concerning the crimes committed against Sylvia. Truly, a shocking film, that anyone should see, but most people will not see. Ellen Page wows me more as I see her, although I haven't seen Juno yet. (I look forward to the Tracey Fragments though.) Overall, I loved both movies, although An American Crime a bit more for showing a more human side to all involved, for telling this story, whether realistically or not. I have to say that I thoroughly was engrossed from beginning to end of of both movies.

I was bawling in the one with Ellen Page though. More from tears of injustice and grief if anything else. (Sorry, I get sentimental.)

Seeing since the script from the court scenes are based on the original court documents, I am at a loss for words concerning the crimes committed against Sylvia.

Truly, a shocking film, that anyone should see, but most people will not see. Ellen Page wows me more as I see her, although I haven’t seen Juno yet. (I look forward to the Tracey Fragments though.)

Overall, I loved both movies, although An American Crime a bit more for showing a more human side to all involved, for telling this story, whether realistically or not.

]]> By: Razman http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-2763 Razman Mon, 26 May 2008 04:48:26 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-2763 Truly heartbreaking when I watched An American Crime. But what makes me really sad and almost like crying is when I dig a little more from internet about Sylvia Likens.....the truth are much more worse than what's in the movie. Ellen Page's performance was really good and convincing. We can feel her emotion as we go through it. But for me, I still think Juno's was her best yet! I'm looking forward as well for Tracey Fragments.....hopefully something new. Anybody seen "Hard Candy"? Truly heartbreaking when I watched An American Crime.

But what makes me really sad and almost like crying is when I dig a little more from internet about Sylvia Likens…..the truth are much more worse than what’s in the movie.

Ellen Page’s performance was really good and convincing. We can feel her emotion as we go through it. But for me, I still think Juno’s was her best yet!

I’m looking forward as well for Tracey Fragments…..hopefully something new.

Anybody seen “Hard Candy”?

]]> By: A.S http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-2771 A.S Tue, 27 May 2008 00:46:52 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-2771 I've just seen "An American Crime" last night. I have to admit, the only reason why I watched it was because I was flickering through the channels with the strangest notion of knowing that I would find a movie, such as this and I left it on because I had read the summary which said it was based on a true story. I caught the story from the very beginning and watched till the end full of tears! My reaction through the whole movie was, I hope she gets enough courage to run away! I was saying to myself, please tell me the little sister (Jenny) at least had the courage to run away and tell someone, but that never happened! I was especially mad to see that the neighbors could hear Sylvia going throught the torture and told themselves it would be best if they just kept to themselves and didn't say anything! I couldn't beleive it! I guess because of what the laws are now - I don't think anyone in this day and age who had any idea of something like that going on in their neighborhood would not want to report it. However on a stranger note, I understand why there are child abuse laws today than back then. My reason for that understanding is simple, this movie made me think about my mother and that era from which she and many others her age were brought up in and I've come to the conclusion of, I guess those girls never reported or said anything about what they were going through because in those days you were taught to keep all of your family business and problems to yourself and don't air all of your dirty laundry for all to see and judge. I also think because they were both too scared as well. I have to admit reading what really happened and seeing the movie, yes the movie did not depict all of the horror this poor little girl had to endure and I can only imagine what her eldest sister must have thought after the fact of Sylvia dying! I'm sure she felt like a terrible sister who probably deep down inside must have thought at some point or another she could have helped and taken in her two little sisters despite money issues, she could have helped or did something about it! I’ve just seen “An American Crime” last night. I have to admit, the only reason why I watched it was because I was flickering through the channels with the strangest notion of knowing that I would find a movie, such as this and I left it on because I had read the summary which said it was based on a true story. I caught the story from the very beginning and watched till the end full of tears!
My reaction through the whole movie was, I hope she gets enough courage to run away! I was saying to myself, please tell me the little sister (Jenny) at least had the courage to run away and tell someone, but that never happened! I was especially mad to see that the neighbors could hear Sylvia going throught the torture and told themselves it would be best if they just kept to themselves and didn’t say anything!
I couldn’t beleive it! I guess because of what the laws are now - I don’t think anyone in this day and age who had any idea of something like that going on in their neighborhood would not want to report it. However on a stranger note, I understand why there are child abuse laws today than back then.
My reason for that understanding is simple, this movie made me think about my mother and that era from which she and many others her age were brought up in and I’ve come to the conclusion of, I guess those girls never reported or said anything about what they were going through because in those days you were taught to keep all of your family business and problems to yourself and don’t air all of your dirty laundry for all to see and judge. I also think because they were both too scared as well.
I have to admit reading what really happened and seeing the movie, yes the movie did not depict all of the horror this poor little girl had to endure and I can only imagine what her eldest sister must have thought after the fact of Sylvia dying! I’m sure she felt like a terrible sister who probably deep down inside must have thought at some point or another she could have helped and taken in her two little sisters despite money issues, she could have helped or did something about it!

]]> By: Been There http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-2819 Been There Thu, 29 May 2008 23:31:07 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-2819 After seeing "An American Crime" all I can say is that these things really do happen and they happen every day. There's a scene where Ellen Page is being dropped off after a picnic and she gets out of the truck and is about to walk up the stairs when she sees the Catherine Keehner character and how the feeling of dread grips her. For me, that dread came when I was 4 and it was my Father waiting with the broomstick handle he cut in half to beat me till I couldn't walk. Fortunately for me I got away and never saw him again after I was 8. Unfortunately for Sylvia she didn't/couldn't escape. I also thought the part where the prosecutor was asking her sister why she didn't run away or tell anyone and her response. I don't think unless you've been in a similar situation to that you can understand the terror that takes you over. One slip up in those kinds of environments can and will cost you your life. Sorry for the preaching and all I can say was it was an excellent movie and was the most authentic piece I've seen on child abuse and the performances were excellent, especially Ellen Page and Catherine Keehner's. I thought After seeing “An American Crime” all I can say is that these things really do happen and they happen every day.

There’s a scene where Ellen Page is being dropped off after a picnic and she gets out of the truck and is about to walk up the stairs when she sees the Catherine Keehner character and how the feeling of dread grips her. For me, that dread came when I was 4 and it was my Father waiting with the broomstick handle he cut in half to beat me till I couldn’t walk.

Fortunately for me I got away and never saw him again after I was 8. Unfortunately for Sylvia she didn’t/couldn’t escape.

I also thought the part where the prosecutor was asking her sister why she didn’t run away or tell anyone and her response. I don’t think unless you’ve been in a similar situation to that you can understand the terror that takes you over. One slip up in those kinds of environments can and will cost you your life.

Sorry for the preaching and all I can say was it was an excellent movie and was the most authentic piece I’ve seen on child abuse and the performances were excellent, especially Ellen Page and Catherine Keehner’s.

I thought

]]> By: "Angel http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-2932 "Angel Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:20:14 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-2932 I watched this movie and was very distraught at what i saw. I am truly sad for this young girl and her family. No one should ever be treated that way and believe Gerdy's punishment should have fit the crime. I think she got off way too easy. Sylvia never had a chance to have a life. I cried for her watching this movie and i am appauled to know that the neighborhood kids as well as the children that resided there treated her that way. Stupidity is taught as you can see from their mother. I can't even bear to watch the show again, it is too sad. I just hope and pray that Sylvia now has peace and is heaven smiling. Im sorry there are people like that in this world and i hope that the people who did nothing to prevent this tragedy from occuring now know that this may have never happend if they would have just said something to someone. Rest in peace Sylvia, you are an angel. I watched this movie and was very distraught at what i saw. I am truly sad for this young girl and her family. No one should ever be treated that way and believe Gerdy’s punishment should have fit the crime. I think she got off way too easy. Sylvia never had a chance to have a life. I cried for her watching this movie and i am appauled to know that the neighborhood kids as well as the children that resided there treated her that way. Stupidity is taught as you can see from their mother. I can’t even bear to watch the show again, it is too sad. I just hope and pray that Sylvia now has peace and is heaven smiling. Im sorry there are people like that in this world and i hope that the people who did nothing to prevent this tragedy from occuring now know that this may have never happend if they would have just said something to someone. Rest in peace Sylvia, you are an angel.

]]> By: elizabetta http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-3009 elizabetta Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:36:25 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-3009 The single most disturbing aspect of this story is that so many knew what was going on and said nothing. If only one person had spoken up - the gutless neighbor who didn't want to judge, the sister, the girls father who didn't want to pry, the minister, the social worker, the sadistic psychopathic kids - this story would've had a different ending. The parents were ignorant and negligent, and obviously didn't learn anything from what happened since immediately after the trial they left the daughter who survived with the prosecutor. Sylvia seemed protective of her sister, Jenny. Too bad Jenny was too spineless to show some protectiveness for Sylvia. It's hard to believe any kid that age would be so stupid that they wouldn't think of taking a detour to the police station on the way home from school to stop the torture of their sister. Then there's Sylvia and Jenny's older sister who did nothing when they told her about the abuse early on - she assumed it was exaggerated and didn't try to check into it. There was no family safety net at all, which partially explains why Sylvia didn't try to run until it was too late. She knew nobody cared enough to lift a finger. Then there are all the kids who were active participants in the torture. Anyone with the normal human ability to feel empathy for another would be sickened by that sort of torture, yet this group of young kids was fascinated and enjoyed hurting her every day. They should have all been put to death, even the young ones, because they were totally devoid of normal human feelings - and I don't care if any of them got religion later - anyone capable of torture has something wrong with them that is NOT fixed by religion. Religion just helps those people manipulate others and disguise the evil a little better. The single most disturbing aspect of this story is that so many knew what was going on and said nothing. If only one person had spoken up - the gutless neighbor who didn’t want to judge, the sister, the girls father who didn’t want to pry, the minister, the social worker, the sadistic psychopathic kids - this story would’ve had a different ending. The parents were ignorant and negligent, and obviously didn’t learn anything from what happened since immediately after the trial they left the daughter who survived with the prosecutor. Sylvia seemed protective of her sister, Jenny. Too bad Jenny was too spineless to show some protectiveness for Sylvia. It’s hard to believe any kid that age would be so stupid that they wouldn’t think of taking a detour to the police station on the way home from school to stop the torture of their sister. Then there’s Sylvia and Jenny’s older sister who did nothing when they told her about the abuse early on - she assumed it was exaggerated and didn’t try to check into it. There was no family safety net at all, which partially explains why Sylvia didn’t try to run until it was too late. She knew nobody cared enough to lift a finger. Then there are all the kids who were active participants in the torture. Anyone with the normal human ability to feel empathy for another would be sickened by that sort of torture, yet this group of young kids was fascinated and enjoyed hurting her every day. They should have all been put to death, even the young ones, because they were totally devoid of normal human feelings - and I don’t care if any of them got religion later - anyone capable of torture has something wrong with them that is NOT fixed by religion. Religion just helps those people manipulate others and disguise the evil a little better.

]]> By: Cathy http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-3586 Cathy Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:00:52 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-3586 It's after 3 in the morning. I've just seen the movie and I was compelled to read up on Sylvia's experience. Never have I been so moved by a film. What disturbs me the most is how contagious evil can be- how right wrong may seem when one is in the presence of it. I imagine myself in the same situation as those callous children toturing Sylvia and although it horrifies me to the very core of my being and I find the existence of such evil and uncaring unfathomable, I wonder what I would have done, if I were one of those kids...I ponder on this statement and it sends shivers through my body: "There may be a little evil in every one of us". God I pray for your overpowering goodwill. It's the only thing that can save us...It's the only thing that can preserve mankind. It’s after 3 in the morning. I’ve just seen the movie and I was compelled to read up on Sylvia’s experience. Never have I been so moved by a film. What disturbs me the most is how contagious evil can be- how right wrong may seem when one is in the presence of it. I imagine myself in the same situation as those callous children toturing Sylvia and although it horrifies me to the very core of my being and I find the existence of such evil and uncaring unfathomable, I wonder what I would have done, if I were one of those kids…I ponder on this statement and it sends shivers through my body: “There may be a little evil in every one of us”. God I pray for your overpowering goodwill. It’s the only thing that can save us…It’s the only thing that can preserve mankind.

]]> By: Linda http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-3783 Linda Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:27:56 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-3783 I have just found out there have been movies made regarding Sylvia Likens murder. I haven't seen them yet. I remember this murder as I grew up in Indianpolis and to this day I can still see the house where it happened. That was such a horrific crime. I was only around 10 years old at the time. It affected our family also that one of the boys involved, Richard Hobbs, was a very good friend of my cousin's. Needless to say she was devastated when this happened. I have just found out there have been movies made regarding Sylvia Likens murder. I haven’t seen them yet. I remember this murder as I grew up in Indianpolis and to this day I can still see the house where it happened. That was such a horrific crime. I was only around 10 years old at the time. It affected our family also that one of the boys involved, Richard Hobbs, was a very good friend of my cousin’s. Needless to say she was devastated when this happened.

]]> By: Cathe http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-6603 Cathe Sat, 27 Sep 2008 08:16:58 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-6603 Like all of you I was terribly saddened by the movie to the point of cursing out at the characters who tortured Sylvia and did nothing to help her. What makes us human is exactly that, we have hatred in our heart. And as long as we have hatred, how can we turn something negative into positive? Therefore we should seek what is above us which is God who is the only one who can turn bad into good. Gob Bless us all and forgive us. Like all of you I was terribly saddened by the movie to the point of cursing out at the characters who tortured Sylvia and did nothing to help her. What makes us human is exactly that, we have hatred in our heart. And as long as we have hatred, how can we turn something negative into positive? Therefore we should seek what is above us which is God who is the only one who can turn bad into good. Gob Bless us all and forgive us.

]]> By: jus http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-7199 jus Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:45:34 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-7199 I love "An American Crime" more. It is artistic and beautiful. Personally, I do not feel The Girl Next Door 2007 beautiful. "An American Crime" makes you feel much more shock than the latter. It can make you tear a lot. Page's excellent performance highlighted the tragedy. Will anyone feel nothing when you see a pure, kind and beautiful tortured to death by a sick and "psychological disorder" old woman? I love “An American Crime” more. It is artistic and beautiful. Personally, I do not feel The Girl Next Door 2007 beautiful. “An American Crime” makes you feel much more shock than the latter. It can make you tear a lot. Page’s excellent performance highlighted the tragedy. Will anyone feel nothing when you see a pure, kind and beautiful tortured to death by a sick and “psychological disorder” old woman?

]]> By: jeremy http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-9129 jeremy Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:17:24 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-9129 here is video of the inside of the house where the crime took place in indianapolis. We snuck in through some boards that were missing from the back porch. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0yXE7rUeNmk here is video of the inside of the house where the crime took place in indianapolis. We snuck in through some boards that were missing from the back porch.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0yXE7rUeNmk

]]> By: jeremy http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-9498 jeremy Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:15:12 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-9498 check out my video of the inside of the house this took place in indinapolis. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yXE7rUeNmk check out my video of the inside of the house this took place in indinapolis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yXE7rUeNmk

]]> By: Kristen http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-18049 Kristen Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:00:40 +0000 http://blog.allmovie.com/2007/11/21/the-sad-case-of-sylvia-likens/#comment-18049 I just watched the girl next door and appauled by this was based on a true story i wanted to know more. Ive just read the true story on her and it really pisses me off that they let that coldblooded animal out on parol same goes for everyone involved in the case.She should have got the death penalty, my outlook on it is there is nothing a 13 year old girl could do to deserve the treatment she got.For the beast 'boogywoman' i hope she rotz in hell along with her kids.For the justice system,my opion, justice was not served, mentally ill people should not be released to society,if you havent seemed to notice they have there ways to make it seem like their sorry,but in all actuality they just want out and will stop at nothing to get what they want.Iguess they wanted that beast to do something like that to there children, and for jenny likens (poor thing)how can she have closure knowing the woman that beat her and killed her sister is out walking the streets like nothing happened.Luckily, nothing ever happened when she was released.I just want people to see that even if you send someone to jail for 2 decades or whatever and then let them out its not serving justice.because i know if god forbid anything like that happen to any of my family and they released that person after any amount of years, lets say they would have got dealt with. no thanks to the justice system!!!!!!! I just watched the girl next door and appauled by this was based on a true story i wanted to know more. Ive just read the true story on her and it really pisses me off that they let that coldblooded animal out on parol same goes for everyone involved in the case.She should have got the death penalty, my outlook on it is there is nothing a 13 year old girl could do to deserve the treatment she got.For the beast ‘boogywoman’ i hope she rotz in hell along with her kids.For the justice system,my opion, justice was not served, mentally ill people should not be released to society,if you havent seemed to notice they have there ways to make it seem like their sorry,but in all actuality they just want out and will stop at nothing to get what they want.Iguess they wanted that beast to do something like that to there children, and for jenny likens (poor thing)how can she have closure knowing the woman that beat her and killed her sister is out walking the streets like nothing happened.Luckily, nothing ever happened when she was released.I just want people to see that even if you send someone to jail for 2 decades or whatever and then let them out its not serving justice.because i know if god forbid anything like that happen to any of my family and they released that person after any amount of years, lets say they would have got dealt with. no thanks to the justice system!!!!!!!

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