MOVIE REVIEW - Conviction

Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank is back again and this time it's the true story drama Conviction.

Conviction is the remarkable story of a Massachusetts woman and her brother that takes place over a 30 year period. Kenny (Sam Rockwell) and Betty Anne (Swank) are brother and sister that grow up in horrible conditions in rural New England. After a childhood of mischief, Kenny finds himself as an adult convicted of murder in 1982. Betty Anne, with no formal education of any kind is convinced of her brothers innocence.

Betty Anne then sends herself back to school to get her GED, then her college degree, and finally puts herself through law school and becomes a lawyer. In fact, she becomes Kenny's lawyer and sets out to set him free. Kenny in jail, spends 13 years waiting for his sister to finish up school and start on this remarkably feat. This is a very compelling story. Hollywood can't write them this good. Will she be able to free Kenny? And is he really innocent? That's Conviction.

Swank is Hollywood's best leading young woman right now. A two-time Oscar winner, she generally picks per roles carefully, and that's great. Million Dollar Baby (Oscar), Freedom Writers, and most recently Amelia. She generally picks roles of substance about real or real life characters. She has the innate ability to be very attractive and no so attractive at the same time. She is totally believable here and really gives Betty Anne a face, a voice and a grit that can be challenging for many. Swank becomes the character in total and she does it here. Her performance here is stellar, This is this years Blind Side.

Rockwell too is terrific, and a leads a great supporting cast of Minnie Driver, Juliette Lewis, and Peter Gallagher. A great story, with a nice cast. Conviction does have a few slow moments at times, but over all this really works. Sad too, this movie is going to get completely lost in the Halloween, and animated field out there right now at the box office. But I can not stress enough this is a great adult night at the movies that shouldn't be missed.

Conviction. Again, Swank is great, Rockwell is great, and the story is great. What's not to like. Well, well done!