So this ISN'T a true story?
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noramcmahon — 12 years ago(July 18, 2013 01:28 PM)
What people are mad about is the fact that the author lied and said it was a true story. I agree that these atrocities are all too real, but that is why people are mad. He claims these are his atrocities for the sole purpose of making money.
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screenscreams — 12 years ago(October 15, 2013 09:20 PM)
From what I've read, the characters of John Reilly and Tommy Marcano were based on two members of the Irish gang, the Westies. Their real names were Jimmy Coonan and Mickey Featherstone. John and Tommy's murder of the reform school guard was supposed to have been based on Jimmy Coonan and Mickey Featherstone's murder of a bartender named Harold Whitehead.
The actor playing John Reilly even looks like Jimmy Coonan. Here is Jimmy Coonan's pic.
http://iwalkedaudiotours.com/2011/09/iwalked-new-york-city’s-c rimes-haunts-%E2%80%93-site-of-jimmy-coonan-%E2%80%9Cwesties%E2%80%9D- murder/ -
JoeKulik — 11 years ago(March 22, 2015 02:57 AM)
Who Really Gives A Damn If This is REALLY A True Story Or Not???
- Sleepers is a really great film PERIOD. The story line, whether or not it's REALLY true is trivial from that stand point.
- That there are so many replies to this message-So this ISN'T a true story?-tells you that the story line is believable enough to make people wonder if the story line is REAL & that, to me also makes Sleepers a great movie.
- Whether the actual events are actually real or not, you need to get your head out of your ass & just do some Googling to realize that there has been a lot of institutional sexual abuse in the past & that it's still happening today. The Catholic Church is an easy example. So whether the story in this film ACTUALLY REALLY REALLY happened, it is still VERY plausible & that's close enough to be REALLY REALLY REAL for me.
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Noirdame79 — 10 years ago(October 05, 2015 08:59 AM)
True or not, it is a good movie (and the book is even better).
No doubt it contains some grains of truth, but whether or not Lorenzo Carcaterra experienced any of it himself is questionable, although not impossible.
I agree with the poster who stated that the records could have been lost or destroyed. I can see why some view the trial and the circumstances surrounding it with doubt, but keep in mind that the New York authorities also deny any reports or records of abuse in juvenile facilities, and we know that doesn't necessarily prove anything. We know that things like this have happened despite denials and lack of documentation. Mount Cashel Orphanage, which was the basis for the Canadian miniseries
The Boys Of St. Vincent
(1992) is just one example. Not to mention the information coming to light about pedophilia in Hollywood. I suspect that Brad Renfro may have been a victim of sexual abuse in real life, adding a further disturbing aspect to the film.
Jason Patric has since gone on record saying he never believed that the movie and book were based a on a true story. He doesn't seem to like the film either, but then again, he's not fond of the other movies he appeared in during this time period (1996-1997). By comparison, the second half has some moments were it seems less believable, and maybe that was his problem with the film. -
cdjunkee-1 — 9 years ago(July 03, 2016 07:51 PM)
That's a shame Jason Patric didn't enjoy being in the film He (and the rest of the cast) was great. Maybe he was afraid of being typecast?
When I saw the recent specials on TV about the abusive places kids were sent to it reminded me of this film. True or not it's a compelling film. -
The-Musicscope — 9 years ago(June 01, 2016 10:41 AM)
I'm choosing to believe there is some percentage of truth in the story, even on a personal level with Lorenzo, but what % is truth is fact and fiction who knows.
Har ring molassis abounding
Common lap kitch sardin a poor floundin
.