Review of Conviction (2010) by Kyle S — 29 Apr 2011

Call me a MES (male emotional softie), or you can call me a MESA since it is my last name, but the motion picture "Conviction" is in my list as one of the most inspiring movies I have ever witnessed. The film tells the true story of the Waters in a not so much watered-down version; maybe a bit overdramatized but that comes with the "make a movie out of a true story" territory. So before you convict me of First Degree Punicide, let me get to the narrative: The film is based on Betty Anne Waters' incredible plight to free her brother from jail. Betty Anne was a working single mother in Massachusetts who put herself through law school in order to represent her brother Kenny, who had been falsely convicted of murder in the early 80's and therefore imprisoned. Kenny was no angel, but not a murderer. He got the shaft with a life sentence primarily due to the demonic behaviors of a female law enforcement officer and more "women behaving badly" which I will not elaborate on or else I will be once again convicted of being a "plot spoiler". After several appeal denials, Betty Anne decided that the only way to fight injustice and help her little brother (from the same broken-house mother) is to get a legal education and go from "tending a bar" to "passing a bar". Pamela Gray's screenplay of "Conviction" sure was a bit weepy and over-sentimental at times, but when the narrative focuses on "family helping family at all cause" there is nothing wrong with that. So I exonerate Gray for any sentimentality charges she has been falsely accused of by some film critics. Director Tony Goldwyn did not construct a perfect film in "Conviction", but I object if anyone says that he did not admirably present an uplifting movie about long-term resiliency and sibling support. What marveled me the most of "Conviction" was its stellar cast. I think the Academy should have been convicted of snubism for not nominating Hilary Swank for a Best Actress Oscar this past year for her brilliant leading performance as Betty Anne Waters. And the same charges are also pending for the Best Supporting Actor oversight of Sam Rockwell's tour-de-force work as the frustrated Kenny. Melissa Leo deservingly fought her way to a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for "The Fighter"; but that was not the only powerful performance she had in 2010. Leo's performance as corrupt cop Nancy Taylor in "Conviction" also does deserve thespian justice, even though she played a villainous character swarming with injustice. You gotta check out Peter Gallagher's cool performance as Barry Scheck, an advocate of those "wrongfully convicted of crimes" who checks into the movie halfway in. Juliette Lewis' thespian work as a drugged-out trailer trash queen only gets around 10 minutes of screen time but she sure makes the best out of it, her character might have been toothless but her performance was flawless. And let just make a quick mini-point by stating that I absolutely loved Minnie Driver in this by driving the charisma right through in playing Abra Rice, Betty Anne's devoted best friend and law school peer. Driver's work as Abra also did provide the picture some well-needed comic relief from an otherwise gripping & serious dramatic narrative. There is plenty of worthy-evidence to warrant "Conviction" with an exemplary motion picture recognition.

***** Excellent.