Review of Conviction (2010) by Gloria G — 26 Feb 2011

The overwhelming criticism thrown at Conviction is that it's a prime candidate for 'TV Movie of the Week'. Well I can't deny that it does very easily fall into that category, but for all its flaws, the most important aspect of a TV movie is that it's watchable, and Conviction is certainly that, but sadly nothing much beyond it.

The film depicts the true story of Betty Anne Waters, who sees her troublesome brother Kenny convicted of murder and given a life sentence in prison. Believing him to be innocent, she enlists in law school and dedicates the next sixteen years of her life to proving the court wrong and setting him free. However against a corrupt justice system, this is no easy task as her family and friends suffer too in what quickly becomes an obsession for Betty Anne.

Considering its basis in truth, this is a remarkable story, it's just a shame that director Tony Goldwyn opts to tell it in such a laborious manner. All the elements are here to make an engrossing and powerful drama, but despite the best efforts of the cast who give the story the treatment it deserves, Goldwyn's storytelling techniques are ultimately inadequate. He utilises tactless and openly manipulative set ups, that may pull at the heartstrings of some, but will leave the majority feeling more indifferent than anything else. Viewers will be bored by the familiarity of many of the supposedly touching moments, having seen them before in similar tales of overcoming the odds and courtroom injustice.

Thankfully one aspect of the film really does manage to bring life to the story: the performances. Hilary Swank, though I still believe her to be a vastly overrated actress, is quite convincing here, particularly in her relationship with on-screen brother Sam Rockwell. Together the pair have a great chemistry and genuinely feel like siblings with a vast history. In his own right Rockwell gives another fine performances which has again gone unnoticed by virtually all major awards bodies. While supporting players Minnie Driver, Melissa Leo and Peter Gallagher round out a surprisingly accomplished cast. Most notable from the ensemble however is Juliette Lewis, who commits wonderfully to her marginally insane character, and deserves much greater recognition than she has received.

On the whole, Conviction is a perfectly serviceable film that takes you from A to B of an interesting story, with some great performances thrown in. However in light of how remarkable the actual story is, the film immediately becomes something of a dud due to Goldwyn's reliance on convention and lack of any real directorial flair. This is a great story squashed by a very mediocre film.