So this ISN'T a true story? - Sleepers (1996) Discussion

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] timlin-4 12 years ago

The plot of this movie is obviously fantasy. A certain percentage of boys are always going to be abused, so maybe there is some "truth" underneath, though I doubt that the author met an actual victim

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[–] Soodinum 11 years ago

"It is true."

^ You say this, and then go on to explain how it could have happened. But that makes no sense. explaining how it can actually have taken place because of weaknesses in the system is not the same as backing up your bald, unequivocal claim to the complete truth behind the author's story.

Either mention some clear proof, or don't make such claims. (And no, your initial post doesn't contain 'proof'.)

'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings.

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[–] PittyPop 11 years ago

I recommend reading this article about the bodies surfacing in Florida - and the school for boys having denied any wrongdoing. There were no proof to go with the accusations - before the excavations.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303277704579348902131979772?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303277704579348902131979772.html

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[–] ghettosgirl 12 years ago

Even if he made it up, I see nothing wrong with him telling a story what happens to millions, if not billions of innocent kids all throughout the world. Giving them a voice and possibly stopping this horrific nightmare. Fiction people do it all the time. The most messed up part is that it DOES happen. So if you want to get mad at anyone, get mad at the scumbags who DO these horrible things, not the people who tell what happens.

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] ghettosgirl 11 years ago

Im glad SOMEONE understands what im saying and the point of this whole story. Whether this actual story was made up or not is irrelevant. The point is that it DOES happen and it NEEDS to be told and PREVENTED and the abusers NEED to be stopped and punished. The fact that people are hinging on whether or not this particular story is made up boggles my mind. THIS situation DOES happen THAT is what should bother everyone. Hell even when I was a kid and saw this movie and heard people thought this story was made up, it still shocked me that people got upset, fully understanding that it is a disgusting reality. And I was like 12... The sick reality is ANY disgusting "fiction" that is out there (and i mean the sickest you can possibly think of ever) I guarantee is a reality at least at one time. When I hear about people raping 1 day olds yea. you cant get any sicker than that. WAKE UP PEOPLE. Dont get made at people speaking the truth. Get mad that it IS the truth.

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[–] noramcmahon 11 years ago

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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[–] asdf189756 11 years ago

The point is that he lied! like so many lie about being abused, it undermines people who really have been abused

he should have published this as fiction

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[–] swlabr 9 years ago

Totally agree

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[–] screenscreams 11 years ago

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%E2%80%99s-c rimes-haunts-%E2%80%93-site-of-jimmy-coonan-%E2%80%9Cwesties%E2%80%9D- murder/

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[–] kenburke0627 11 years ago

I've seen this type of thing happen before. People claim a story is true when it isn't, like FARGO, or so loosely based on a true story it may as well be fiction.

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[–] Noone222 10 years ago

This story is pretty believable, not sure if the killing the guard part is true, but I have NO DOUBTS that the abuse is real.

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[–] JoeKulik 10 years ago

Who Really Gives A Damn If This is REALLY A True Story Or Not???

1) Sleepers is a really great film PERIOD. The story line, whether or not it's REALLY true is trivial from that stand point.

2) 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.

3) 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 9 years ago

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.

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[–] cdjunkee-1 8 years ago

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.

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[–] The-Musicscope 9 years ago

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.

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