Good concept, poorly executed.

Crappy film

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

I enjoyed this one a lot, its based on a true story about a Massachusetts wife and mother of two, who dedicates her life to overturning her brother's murder conviction. Convinced that he's innocent, Betty Anne puts herself through high school, college and, finally, law school in an 18-year quest to free Kenny.Hilary Swank takes the lead here, uncovering the facts and utilizing DNA evidence (when it finally becomes available) while at the same time sacrificing her marriage and time with her kids. Minnie Driver is in the best friend role, helping her locate the evidence and through school. Sam Rockwell plays the brother who truthfully you don't have much remorse for as his character is so aloof.Swank, and Rockwell are excellent as usual, which helps because the movie doesn't move at the fasted pace, it managed to keep my interest throughout though and I really felt for these characters, helped along by multiple flashbacks to their tormented childhood.There are also some fantastic performances from Melissa Leo as the arresting officer and Juliette Lewis, who in a very small role completely embodies and transforms into her character. I could not take my eyes off of her or those bad teeth. Just incredible.This one tugs at the heart and is inspirational. Honestly I wasn't ever sure how it was going to play out either. 3/8/16

Kenny Waters (Sam Rockwell) is convicted for the brutal 1980 murder of Katharina Brow in Ayer, Ma. His sister Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) is a working mom who goes back to school to get a law degree and get his brother out of prison. Fellow older student Abra (Minnie Driver) befriends her. Sergeant Nancy Taylor (Melissa Leo) was the investigating officer. He was convicted by the testimonies of his ex-wife Brenda (Clea DuVall) and ex-girlfriend Roseanna (Juliette Lewis).This is a sincere true story. Director Tony Goldwyn tries to bring something powerful but I can't shake the feeling of a made-for-TV movie. It's not about the effort or the look. The movie rolls out very traditionally without any surprises. It's very functional but it's missing a big over-arching style. The extended flashback probably takes too much of the early momentum. The audience already knows about his conviction. Short bursts of flashbacks would be more compelling and allow the audience to question Betty Anne's resolve more. The most compelling drama is whether Kenny is actually guilty. Goldwyn isn't able to find the needed structure. The cast is some of the best around and they have a few big emotional moments. Rockwell is great once again. I just think Goldwyn could have done better.

In Ayer, Massachusetts, the siblings Betty Anne and Kenneth 'Kenny' Waters are very close to each other and they are neglected by their single mother and prostitute Elizabeth Waters (Karen Young).In their come of age, Kenny (Sam Rockwell) is a troublemaker with a baby daughter hated by the local police department and Betty Anne (Hilary Swank) gets married and has two sons. When their neighbor is stabbed to death, the police officer Nancy Taylor (Melissa Leo) that has hatred for Kenny, arrests him and he is sent to court for trial.Kenny and Betty Anne can not afford to hire a lawyer and Kenny is defended by a public defender. He is sentenced to life without probation, based on the evidence of his blood type and the testimony of his girlfriends Brenda Marsh (Clea DuVall) and Roseanna Perry (Juliette Lewis).When Kenny tries to commit suicide in prison, his sister tells him that she will complete her elementary school and high-school to go to law school to reopen his case and overturn his sentence."Conviction" is the best courtroom drama of the Twentieth-First Century. The inspiring story of a waitress that decides to study to become a lawyer to defend her beloved and innocent brother that was sentenced to life without probation and release him after twenty years is one of the most beautiful examples of dedication, determination, devotion and fraternal love.The top-notch performances of Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell and Juliette Lewis deserved nomination to the Oscar. The tragic and ironic fate of Kenny six months after his freedom is not mentioned in the film that stops the journey of the Waters family in the best moments of their lives. My vote is nine.Title (Brazil): "A Condenação" ("The Conviction")

This story and this film have all the ear marks of being a riveting and stunning film. Unfortunately it doesn't quite reach that level of being really stunning but it definitely fits the bill for being entertaining and interesting and well worth seeing. It is a fantastic drama, held back by perhaps a slightly less than impressive lead performance and the pace of the film stumbles a little bit here and there as you try to figure out what time period you're in. But don't let those small complaints deter you because this is an uplifting and excellent film that will have you cheering.I admit I am not a big Hilary Swank fan. I think she overacts and she's over rated a lot of the time. She does okay in this role but in a role that is loosely comparable to Erin Brockovich in a lot of ways she doesn't fit the bill. I think a different actor could have done more with the part but she does okay. Sam Rockwell does an excellent job as the wrongfully accused brother of Swank's character. Rockwell goes through so much in the film and the transition he goes through in jail is plainly displayed by his performance.The triumph of the film is what Swank's character goes through over the course of years to save her brother. The moments of breakthrough she has in his case will have you cheering and rooting for her success. Director Tony Goldwyn has a lot of experience in Television and far more in acting. Conviction plays out like a television show in its pace where they try to cram a lot into the hour and a half film. Sometimes you just feel like you have to try hard to keep up. Still Conviction is a great drama, well worth seeing, it will entertain you and has a terrific story. Definitely worth your time. 8/10