Directed by Tony Goldwyn. (2.5/5).
Conviction tells the true story of one woman’s fight for the release of her brother who has been sentenced to life for a murder he did not commit. The film's clunky conventional storyline steps back and forth in time to build up an account of how Kenneth Waters (Sam Rockwell) was framed by the US legal system. Convinced of her brother’s innocence, Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) sets about to do everything in her power to clear her brother’s name. Though the burden of this threatens to overshadow her own life, she remains dogged.
The film is buoyed by whole-hearted central performances from Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell and is undoubtedly moving at times. A big testament to “family comes first” Tony Soprano values. Look out for a brilliantly wired Juliette Lewis as Kenny’s broken ex-lover who testifies against him, reminding us of her mesmerising performance in Natural Born Killers.
Despite its admirable intentions, Conviction is painfully linear and makes a rushed attempt at covering all bases. A barrage of nauseatingly predictable scenes ensue as Betty Anne goes from class flunk to miraculously conquering the bar and proving her brother’s innocence. I guess you could say her domestic life suffers about as much as the cookie-cutter editing and soundtrack.
Sadly, the film slips past, slowly estranging you from the real characters involved. The cast endeavour to do the best they can with a sterile syringe of a script that gradually anaesthetises the mind to an insensitive state not too dissimilar from the Massachusetts State legal system in the 80s. There are moments of promise, ranging from Swank’s frayed emotional displays to a cool-oozing Rockwell shimmying to “My Sharona”, regardless of the scene ending in frustratingly lame fashion. Overall, however, Goldwyn directs a barely adequate dramatisation of a truly inspiring story.
Conviction
