Conviction Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Sister goes to law school to get her brother out of jail, proving that family loyalty is just another form of extreme career planning.

🍿 Conviction: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Murder and Kenny’s Arrest

In 1980, Katharina Brow is murdered in Ayer, Massachusetts. Kenny Waters, a local troublemaker, becomes a suspect. Despite a lack of concrete evidence, he is arrested two years later based on witness testimonies that later prove unreliable. Kenny insists on his innocence, but circumstantial evidence begins to pile up against him.

Kenny’s Trial and Conviction

Kenny’s trial relies heavily on the testimonies of his ex-girlfriend, Roseanna Perry, and ex-wife, Brenda Marsh, who claim he confessed to the murder. Sergeant Nancy Taylor, a local police officer with a known dislike for Kenny, leads the investigation. The defense is underfunded. In 1983, Kenny is convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Betty Anne’s Decision

Betty Anne Waters, Kenny’s sister, is devastated by the conviction but remains steadfast in her belief in his innocence. After Kenny attempts suicide in prison, Betty Anne resolves to become a lawyer to exonerate him. This decision leads her on a long and arduous path, sacrificing her marriage and time with her children.

The Long Road to Law School

Betty Anne, a high school dropout, begins by earning her GED. She then attends college and law school while working multiple jobs and raising her children. She faces numerous challenges, including financial hardship, academic struggles, and the emotional toll of Kenny’s imprisonment. Her dedication never wavers, fueled by her unwavering belief in her brother’s innocence.

The Innocence Project and DNA Evidence

While in law school, Betty Anne learns about DNA testing and its potential to overturn wrongful convictions. She contacts Barry Scheck of the Innocence Project for assistance. However, the backlog of cases requires her to pass the bar exam and locate the original blood evidence from Kenny’s trial. The search for the evidence becomes a race against time.

Uncovering the Truth

Betty Anne discovers that Sergeant Nancy Taylor had a history of fabricating evidence. She tracks down Roseanna and Brenda, who confess that Taylor coerced them into providing false testimony at Kenny’s trial. With the affidavits and the DNA evidence proving Kenny’s blood was not at the crime scene, Betty Anne petitions for his release.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank): A determined working mother and high school dropout who puts herself through law school to exonerate her wrongly convicted brother.
• Kenny Waters (Sam Rockwell): The wrongly convicted brother whose life-sentence spurs his sister to become a lawyer and fight for his freedom.
• Nancy Taylor (Melissa Leo): The determined police officer who leads the investigation and is convinced of Kenny’s guilt, potentially acting unethically.
• Abra Rice (Minnie Driver): Betty Anne’s supportive law school friend who assists in the fight to free Kenny.
• Barry Scheck (Peter Gallagher): The head of the Innocence Project who provides legal expertise and resources to Betty Anne’s case.
• Brenda Marsh (Clea DuVall): Kenny’s ex-wife who is coerced into providing false testimony against him during the trial.
• Roseanna Perry (Juliette Lewis): Kenny’s ex-girlfriend who also provides coerced false testimony, contributing to his wrongful conviction.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Betty Anne Waters: “You are innocent!” – Betty Anne emphatically declares her brother’s innocence during a tense prison visit.
• Kenny Waters: “Are you sure about that?” – Kenny questions his sister’s unwavering belief, reflecting his own doubts and years of hopelessness.
• Betty Anne Waters: “How can you ask me that? How can you ask me that?” – Betty Anne responds emotionally to Kenny’s question showing how much she believes in him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,783,129
• Worldwide Gross: $11,104,555

💥 Conviction Reviews

Personal Review

I was so moved by ‘Conviction’! Hilary Swank’s performance was incredible, you could really feel her unwavering dedication. Sam Rockwell was brilliant as Kenny, showing so much vulnerability mixed with his rough exterior. The scene where they finally get the DNA results gave me chills, it was so intense and emotional. It made me really think about how far I would go for my family.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of legal dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in true stories of injustice”
  • “People who appreciate strong performances by Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell”
  • “Those interested in stories of family loyalty and perseverance”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Violent images”
  • “Themes of wrongful conviction”
  • “Suicide attempt”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “While the story is undeniably compelling, ‘Conviction’ often resorts to predictable courtroom drama tropes, losing some of its emotional impact despite the strong performances from Swank and Rockwell.
• RogerEbert.com: “Hilary Swank delivers a powerful performance as Betty Anne Waters. Sam Rockwell as Kenny provides layers of unpredictable furor and vulnerability. The acting truly elevates what would otherwise be a typical made-for-TV movie plot.
• Variety: “Tony Goldwyn’s direction is solid, but ‘Conviction’ ultimately feels somewhat conventional. Despite strong performances, the film lacks the depth and nuance to fully explore the complexities of the case.

Audience Reactions

Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell’s performances were superb and emotionally captivating.: Many viewers praised the film for its depiction of unbreakable family bonds and its inspiring true story.

Juliette Lewis provided a very good performance in her limited screen time.: Many viewers praised the stellar supporting cast, particularly Juliette Lewis, for adding depth to the story.

Overall Consensus: Conviction is a well-acted, emotional film based on a true story, but it suffers from a somewhat predictable plot and occasionally melodramatic elements.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The real Betty Anne Waters said, ‘The movie is so true to life. Not every scene happened, but every emotion happened.'”
• “While the film depicts Betty Anne facing struggles in law school, she actually graduated near the top of her class.”
• “Several scenes were filmed on location in Jackson, Michigan, chosen for its resemblance to Ayer, Massachusetts, where the real events took place.”

🖥️ How to Watch Conviction?

Conviction is currently available to rent or buy on several platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability, as streaming options may vary depending on your region. You may also find it on DVD or Blu-ray for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Conviction, you might like these similar films:

• The Hurricane (1999): Based on the true story of a wrongly convicted man fighting for his freedom with the help of dedicated supporters, similar to the central theme of Conviction.
• Erin Brockovich (2000): Features a determined woman with a working-class background fighting against a powerful system to achieve justice, mirroring Betty Anne’s journey.
• The Shawshank Redemption (1994): A man wrongly convicted and imprisoned perseveres for years to prove his innocence and achieve freedom, echoing the themes of hope and resilience in Conviction.
• Just Mercy (2019): Bryan Stevenson a defense attorney dedicates himself to defending wrongly condemned death row prisoner.

🛒 Conviction Related Products

• The Innocence Project: Reforming Criminal Justice Through Science and Story: Explore the inner workings of the Innocence Project through gripping case studies and scientific analysis, mirroring Betty Anne’s journey in ‘Conviction’ to understand the fight against wrongful convictions.
• Criminal Minds: The Complete Series: A gripping crime procedural series. The series delves into the psychology of criminals, a study that can be extended to the characters in ‘Conviction’, particularly exploring the motivations and potential innocence of Kenny Waters.
• Law School for Dummies: A beginner-friendly guide to law school, covering key concepts, study tips, and career paths, designed for anyone considering a legal education, similar to Betty Anne’s pursuit in ‘Conviction’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Conviction features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Whiskey in the Jar” – performed by Public Domain, Performed by Chris Hewitt and David Bagnall

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Brother’s overturned conviction now movie

Want to know the *real* story behind ‘Conviction’? This news report dives into the case that inspired the film, and it’s honestly even more gripping than the movie itself!

Betty Anne Waters shares her experience watching her life story being made into a film

Ever wonder what it’s like to watch your *own life* play out on the big screen? Betty Anne Waters, the woman ‘Conviction’ is based on, shares her thoughts, and it’s so interesting to hear her perspective!

Top 10 Courtroom Movies of the 2010s

Think ‘Conviction’ is a great courtroom drama? See where it ranks among the *best of the best* from the 2010s. It’s a good way to find your next movie night pick, in my opinion.

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