Review - Conviction

I finally watched this movie.  Hillary Swank was great as I expected.  The story for those of you who don't know, is of a woman who's brother is convicted of first degree murder.  She believes his innocence and is determined to help him.  So she goes to law school and passes the bar, enlisting the help of the Innocence Project as well.  She doesn't give up and even pushes state employees to find evidence listed as destroyed that actually had not been in order to take advantage of DNA testing.  Even then he is not released due to a hard-ball DA.  She pushes to find new evidence until finally he is released.  Both her performance and Sam Rockwell (her brother)'s are amazing.

And the really amazing thing is that this is all based on a true story.  I love my brother, but can't imagine going to such extremes for him. And I have to give credit to The Innocence Project as well.  As much as we don't like to admit it, some people are wrongfully convicted.  Especially on eyewitness testimony (which in this case was perjurous).  I remember seeing a powerful play many years ago based on several cases they had freed people on.  It was called The Exonerated and starred Brian Dennehy, Chad Lowe and Mia Farrow.  I still believe the majority of police are good and truly do try to find the truth.  In this movie, the investigating officer was corrupt.  But it heartwarming to see him get out of jail and meet his grown up daughter, though you have to be sad about all he lost.  Excellent movie

Terri