Movie review: Conviction ***

Conviction ***

Stars: Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver
Director: Tony Goldwyn
Rated: R
Showing: Neptune Theatre week of Friday, November 12 - Daily at 7:30pm except Sunday at 5:30pm. For more information about film times, call 292-7296.
Runtime: 97 minutes
Biopic/drama/thriller

Two-time Best Actress Oscar winner Hilary Swank heads the cast in this emotional but inspirational drama, based on a true story.

Swank stars as Betty Anne Waters, a single mom who puts herself through law school in order to represent her brother, who has been wrongly jailed for murder.

The high school dropout spends the next two decades working and studying, which costs her her husband and damages her relationship with her children.

It’s a by-the-numbers and predictable script that wouldn’t be out of place on Lifetime but the performances and inspirational story keep you watching.

The ever-excellent Swank has you rooting for Betty Anne throughout, while her redneck sibling is played with relish by the talented Sam Rockwell.

Bringing levity and dashes of comedy to the sombre proceedings is Minnie Driver as Betty Anne’s friend Abra, the “other old lady” in her law class.

Watch if you liked: A Time To Kill.