Conviction is an amazing true story about Betty Anne Waters (Hillary Swank). Betty Anne is a devoted sister who goes to law school in an effort to help her brother Kenny (Sam Rockwell). Kenny was wrongfully convicted of armed robbery and murder in the first degree of a woman in 1983. With the help of Betty Anne’s friend Abra Rice (Minnie Driver), of attorney Barry Scheck (Peter Gallagher) and The Innocence Project. The Innocence Project is a nonprofit organization that helps exonerate innocent people with the help of DNA testing. Hillary Swank and Sam Rockwell deserve to be in the running for Oscars for roles they portrayed in this movie. Conviction will tug on the heart strings and make you smile at the same time.
I had the honor of meeting Juliet Lewis, Director/producer Tony Goldwyn and Betty Anne Waters herself. Tony Goldwyn discussed the project and how it took him nine years to complete. He also spoke about the timeline of the movie and how certain parts were slightly changed for dramatic effect. All court transcripts and documents were used in the filming to provide exact information. Juliet Lewis plays a small role as Roxanne who was one of the witnesses on the stand. Although her role is small, it serves as a pivotal part of the story. This is a highly-recommended, Oscar-worthy, must-see movie. For nearly a decade now, Betty Anne continues to help the Innocence Project in New York and New England to help those who have been wrongfully incarcerated. For more information or to help, please go to www.innocenceproject.org.
