Conviction
(2010)Drama based on a true story about high school dropout Betty Anne (Hilary Swank), who spent nearly two decades working as a single mother while tirelessly trying to overturn her brother Kenny's (Sam Rockwell) unjust murder conviction.... More
Kenny is arrested for murder and sentenced to life in 1983. Convinced of his innocence, Betty Anne puts herself through high school, college and, finally, law school in an 18 year quest to free Kenny. With the help of best friend Abra Rice (Minnie Driver), Betty Anne pores through suspicious evidence mounted by small town cop Nancy Taylor (Melissa Leo), meticulously retracing the steps that led to Kenny's arrest.Hide
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Directed by Tony Goldwyn (TV's 'Dexter', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'The L Word')
Starring Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver, Juliette Lewis, Clea DuVall, Hilary Swank, Ari Graynor
Written by Pamela Gray
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 2 providers
Flicks Review
BY Andreas Heinemann Flicks Writer
The first things you notice about this movie are the wealth of on screen talent and the hoary old chestnut of a plot. Throughout the running time, these two elements fight it out, a battle between potential Oscar bait and TV movie schmaltz.
The cast try its hardest to pull off a salvage job. Hillary Swank is a total pro and her New England accent is credible while Sam Rockwell steals scenes in each of the limited chances he gets. Juliette Lewis’ unhinged cameo is the undoubted bright spot – from this point on, every flailing movie should be legally obligated to give her a white trash supporting role in an effort to right the course.
All this good work, however, can’t enhance a storyline as predictable as the one they are working with. The premise is given the most basic treatment as it jettisons any extraneous detail, leaving nothing but a morality play extolling the virtues of hard work. You can see the feel-good ending coming a mile off, but the lack of character depth or real conflict leading up to it neuters its emotional potential.
The film only succeeds in showing that sometimes quality performances don’t necessarily translate into a quality film, playing out more like a poor man’s Erin Brockovich instead.
The Peoples' Reviews
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Conviction
BY Olivia-Prasad superstar
Very predictable and slow paced but a decent film with a lot of heart.
BY Jade-Francis superstar
Even tho you know whats gonna happen at the end of the movie, i didnt know how and when, it is amazing this womans struggle to free her wrongly convicted brother of murder. the whole movie i was like when is he gonna get out. its a touching story to watch like erin brokovitch and i think it does it justice
BY JamesW lister
Although slowly paced, (I found myself getting a little distracted by my friends in the cinema) the film is very decent. Nothing new, and you can see the outcome, but there are a few moments of some really great performance that drive the film on. Because it is based on a true story it needed to stick to the real circumstances, but there are some decent lows and highs during the film and it is visually a really nice easy watch.
BY Deb superstar
Brother and sister from a disfunctional family grow up in constant contact with the law. Little wonder the brother ends up in prison and no surprise his sister thinks he's innocent. The criminal apprenticeship of the siblings is well described by the film. A good film which could have been great but for Hilary Swanks and Minnie Driver who together make an Erin Brokovitch wanna be but both are wall paper characters. Sam Rockwell has great material however and completely saves the film.
The Press Reviews
67%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
In Hilary Swank, the film finds the right actress to embody gritty tenacity. Full Review
Serious film-of-the-week, Conviction is a slightly jumbled telling of the true story of brother and sister Kenneth and Betty-Anne Waters. Full Review
It's okay in a TV movie way, but disappointing given all the obvious potential of the real story. Full Review
The film is in the tradition of fighting-the-system stories drawn from real life such as "Erin Brokovich," and its powerful emotional appeal should draw a substantial grownup audience. Full Review
It would be easy to dismiss Conviction on the ground that it plays like a made-for-television movie, but the truth is that, as often as not, movies made for the small screen are better than this: braver, darker, more willing to explore odd corners of feeling. Full Review
Swank and Rockwell elevate a solid drama that tells its tall tale with, yes, conviction. It’s not exactly the whole truth, though. Full Review
Although fiercely committed performances by Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell provide director Tony Goldwyn's film with a core of emotional integrity, a less heavy-handed, more informative approach would have served them and the audience better. Full Review
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