Synopsis
When Betty Anne Waters' older brother Kenny is arrested for murder and sentenced to life in 1983, Betty Anne, a Massachusetts wife and mother of two, dedicates her life to overturning the murder conviction. Convinced that her brother is innocent, 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, Betty Anne pores through suspicious evidence mounted by small town cop Nancy Taylor, meticulously retracing the steps that led to Kenny's arrest. Belief in her brother - and her quest for the truth - pushes Betty Anne and her team to uncover the facts and utilize DNA evidence with the hope of exonerating Kenny.
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Cast
- Hilary SwankBetty Anne Waters
- Sam RockwellKenny Waters
- Minnie DriverAbra Rice
- Melissa LeoNancy Taylor
- Peter GallagherBarry Scheck
- Ari GraynorMandy Marsh
- Loren DeanRick Miller
- Conor DonovanRichard Miller
- Owen CampbellBen Miller
- Tobias CampbellYoung Kenny
Recommendations
- 83
Entertainment Weekly
The ever-magnetic Sam Rockwell is Kenny, Minnie Driver is full of beans as Betty Anne's best friend, Melissa Leo is wicked good as an ornery cop, and, in her two chewy scenes, Juliette Lewis reminds fans why we want her to run free forever. - 80
Boxoffice Magazine
A stirring, unforgettable motion picture experience, a superbly acted and courageous story of one woman who made a difference. - 80
The Hollywood Reporter
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. - 75
Observer
Filled with nuance, intricate emotion and a refreshing absence of melodramatics, Conviction is a moving exploration of light and love shining through the darkness of despair. Its impact cannot easily be shaken. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
In Hilary Swank, the film finds the right actress to embody gritty tenacity. - 63
ReelViews
The strongest, most consistent performance is provided by Sam Rockwell, who displays a wide and convincing range of emotions. - 60
Movieline
The story is so bounteous that Goldwyn can't quite get a grip on it. - 50
Variety
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.
