“Conviction” is based on an inspirational true story of resolute dedication and dogged persistence in the face of monolithic cultural and societal odds. The film’s title, a smart double entendre, suggests a story of righteous tenacity, the sort of fantastic narrative that you might be tempted to dismiss as fiction were it not true. While “Conviction,” directed by actor Tony Goldwyn, is a fairly rote, mechanical cinematic procedure, it is well carried by its intrinsically remarkable plot and several Oscar caliber performances.

In 1983, Kenny Waters (Sam Rockwell) was arrested for the gruesome murder of a middle-aged woman in a small, backwater Massachusetts town. Though he maintained his innocence, Kenny’s appeals fell on deaf ears and he was sentenced to life in prison. Convinced of his innocence, his sister, Betty Anne (Hilary Swank), a housemom and high-school dropout, decided to do what no one else could or would—she earned her GED, went to college, and followed it with law school, all while working nights in a bar and keeping her family (not always successfully) afloat. Betty Anne would battle setback after setback, challenging both misapplied evidence and police corruption in a single-minded obsession to free her brother. And it took only 18 years.

Because “Conviction” is largely by the numbers, it succeeds or fails based on its cast, and luckily for the film, the cast is tip top. Remember when Sam Rockwell was a comedian, and a darn funny one? Thank goodness he is an exceptional dramatic actor as well. Rockwell’s Kenny is hardly a model citizen. He’s a joker who doesn’t take life seriously, but he certainly has a serious temper. He’s easy to like, but probably very hard to live with. He’s used to diffusing every situation with humor, but he can’t diffuse this. Rockwell gives us a man we like but aren’t sure we can trust.

Swank, who is certainly a smart enough actor to know Oscar bait when she sees it, rises admirably to the occasion (heck, the non-rhotic accent alone should do the trick), turning in a fierce, stalwart, largely solemn performance. There is no doubt that Swank’s Betty Anne is Massachusetts white trash, born and bred. But that makes her more interesting than a milquetoast, middle class character, and certainly makes her achievement that much more admirable. She succeeds less because of her jurisprudence and more because of her unflinching persistence. Hers is an irrational hope. Her indomitable mania knows no bounds; even her marriage is flotsam to jettison when it gets in the way. Betty Anne is impossible not to root for, even when, or because of the fact that never once does she doubt her brother’s innocence; never once does she even ask him if he did it. Thanks to a series of flashbacks populated with superb young child actors, we learn that she and her hellion sibling are inseparable because they are all each other ever truly had.

Some of the finest performances in the film come from the supporting cast (Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver), particularly Juliette Lewis who may also see a gold statue in her future for her role as one of Kenny’s jilted, classless ex-lovers.

Unquestionably inspiring and certainly not without the power to both rouse and coax tears, we nevertheless get the impression there is an even better film here, clamoring to get out. Perhaps in the hands of a more experienced director (Steven Soderbergh in “Erin Brockovich” mode comes to mind), “Conviction” could have been something truly great. However, while familiar and conventional, that doesn’t mean it can’t also be formidable. “Conviction” is earnest, it is stirring and ultimately, it delivers.

Directed by: Tony GoldwynStarring: Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver, Juliette Lewis, Clea DuVall, Bailee Madison, Tobias Campbell

Rated R for language and some violent images.

Running Time; 107 minutes

Photo by