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      Conviction

      2010, Biography/Drama, 1h 46m

      192 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      Less compelling -- and more manipulative -- than it should be, Conviction benefits from its compelling true story and a pair of solid performances from Swank and Rockwell. Read critic reviews

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      Conviction  Photos

      Conviction (2010) Conviction (2010) Conviction (2010) Conviction (2010) Conviction (2010)

      Movie Info

      When her older brother Kenny (Sam Rockwell) is convicted of murder and sentenced to life in 1983, Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) vows to get the conviction overturned. Beginning an 18-year quest to exonerate Kenny, Betty Anne puts herself through college and law school. With the help of her best friend (Minnie Driver), Betty Anne pores over piles of suspicious evidence and retraces the steps that led to Kenny's arrest in the hope of finally winning her brother's freedom.

      • Rating: R (Some Violent Images|Language)

      • Genre: Biography, Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Tony Goldwyn

      • Producer: Andrew Sugerman, Andrew S. Karsch, Tony Goldwyn

      • Writer: Pamela Gray

      • Release Date (Theaters):  wide

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $6.8M

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Fox Searchlight

      • Production Co: Longfellow Pictures, Andrew Sugerman

      • Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

      Cast & Crew

      Hilary Swank
      Sam Rockwell
      Melissa Leo
      Peter Gallagher
      Ari Graynor
      Juliette Lewis
      Hilary Swank
      Markus Barmettler
      Alwyn Hight Kushner
      James Smith
      Anthony Callie
      Myles Nestel
      Adriano Goldman
      Jay Cassidy
      Mark Ricker
      Paul Cantalon
      Wendy Chuck
      Rena DeAngelo

      News & Interviews for Conviction

      Critic Reviews for Conviction

      Audience Reviews for Conviction

      • Jul 10, 2012

        The movie worked not because of the overwhelming script but because it was indeed based on a true story. It never ceases to amaze me witnessing this kind of touching story, that human being are in fact humane after all. Powerful performance by both Swank and Rockwell, even Minnie Driver and Melissa Leo played their part well. Give it a go! 7.5 / 10

        Super Reviewer
      • Feb 04, 2012

        "Conviction" opens with Abra(Minnie Driver) curious about Betty Anne(Hilary Swank), who as she puts it, seems to be the only law school student in her class past the age of puberty. Well, it's funny she should ask because it is a long story that begins in 1980 in Ayer, Massachusetts when her brother Kenny(Sam Rockwell) is arrested on suspicion of murder by Officer Nancy Taylor(Melissa Leo). With his long history with the criminal justice system, it is no surprise that he does not take the charge that seriously. Three years later, it is no laughing matter when he is convicted on the same charges on circumstantial evidence and has a hard time adjusting to prison. Frustrated that nobody else seems to care, Betty Anne swears she will get a law degree to help him, after she gets her GED and BA, of course. If "Conviction" was not based on a true story, it might not be easy to take seriously, as it is the stuff of 50's melodramas. That would be a mistake in any case, as the movie tells a compelling story that is well-acted, especially by Sam Rockwell. The movie is also grounded nicely in its tale of sibling loyalty. While it is mentioned in the film about the sacrifices that Betty Anne has to make in her pursuit of justice, one could also take the opposite position by pointing out the education she now has which can open doors, once unimagined, to her. So, just remember, never give up hope.(Since this is Massachusetts we are talking about, there is sure to be a baseball metaphor around here somewhere.) Nor should you when it comes to anybody behind bars, considering some of them may be innocent like Kenny.

        walter m Super Reviewer
      • Dec 29, 2011

        Conviction could have been a compelling, extremely moving, and heat-warming story, but the way Tony Goldwyn and the cast of Conviction tell it, it's not so gripping (boring even at parts) and compelling, but it tries to manipulate the audience to care, to cry, to cheer. But to tell the truth, it got about half-way. There is almost no history to these characters, and there are a lot of people to remember the names of, and we are supposed to hate, or love these people, but we don't know much about them, nor have we seen much of them either. The performances by Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver, Juliette Lewis, Baliee Madison, and Tobias Campbell are what keep this film above water. See this film for the extraordinary performances, if for nothing else.

        Super Reviewer
      • Nov 21, 2011

        I thought this was a great story to tell. The film didn't amaze me, but I enjoyed it.

        Super Reviewer

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