What separates Conviction apart from your average film? Arguably, it’s the cast and not much else. Despite the compelling true story at its heart, Conviction doesn’t bring much that hasn’t been seen plenty of times before. Star and Executive Producer Hilary Swank as well as the rest of the cast try their hardest to elevate it beyond the rudimentary, but flat direction by Tony Goldwyn coupled with dull scripting by Pamela Gray holds the film back from achieving anything other than rote tears.
Swank stars as Betty Anne Waters, a real woman who took the American law bar as a mature age student as a means of securing the release of her wrongly convicted brother Kenny (Sam Rockwell, Moon). With the help of fellow student Abra Rice (Minnie Driver, Good Will Hunting), Betty Anne spent decades trying to free her brother, who was sent to prison by an over-zealous cop (Melissa Leo, The Fighter) due to damning, but fabricated, evidence provided by a local piece of trailer trash (Juliette Lewis, Whip It).
Roseanna Perry (Juliette Lewis)
Everyone reading this will know where the story is headed – and if you’ve seen the trailer you have been shown the beginning, middle and end! – and that is unfortunate. The story of Betty Anne and Kenny Waters is one of such richness, and yet the overcast look and bland, ordinary setup drains it of all its power. As an acting showcase it works far better, however, Melissa Leo seems to be trying to hardest to ruin it. Thank heavens for small mercies such as Minnie Driver, Sam Rockwell and Juliette Lewis, the latter of which gives an Earth-shattering cameo late into the proceedings. Her five minutes of screen time enlivens Conviction more than repetitive shots of Swank gazing out of her window or childhood flashbacks ever could.
Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) and Kenny Waters (Sam Rockwell)
Conviction ends with a series of title cards explaining what happened to the real life individuals after the events of the film. What it fails to mention is the fate that befell Kenny. Readers can investigate further if they like, but this is very telling of the film’s problems. Director Goldwyn tries everything he can to make Conviction a film that can be described as “uplifting”, “soaring” and “something something human spirit”. Swank’s Betty Anne is presented as the Patron Saint of Saintlihood, with any negative personality traits ironed out and not given a second thought. If Conviction had felt as edgy and urgent as Lewis’ performance, brimming with surprising comedy and unhinged tension, then it would be far more enticing. As it is it’s nothing more than a polite halo to be placed upon Betty Anne Waters’ memory.
Conviction is released in Australia February 24th
Director: Tony Goldwyn
Cast: Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher, Melissa Leo, Juliette Lewis, Ari Graynor, Conor Donovan and Owen Campbell
