conviction
Conviction is a 2010 biographical legal drama film directed by Tony Goldwyn and starring Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell. The film’s script was written by Pamela Gray.
The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2010. Subsequently, the film was released in the United States on October 15, 2010, attracting a wider audience.
In “Conviction,” this compelling story revolves around real-life events and individuals, showcasing the struggles and triumphs of a woman who worked tirelessly to exonerate her wrongfully convicted brother. The film’s premiere at a prestigious film festival and subsequent theatrical release underlined its importance and quality in the world of cinema.
Is the movie “Conviction” a true story?
Yes, the movie “Conviction” is based on a true story. The show tells the story of Betty Anne Waters, a woman who goes through law school to exonerate her brother Kenny, who was wrongly convicted of murder.
Kenny Waters was convicted of the 1986 murder of Katharina Brow in Massachusetts. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Betty Anne Waters never believed her brother was guilty and dedicated her life to proving his innocence.
She worked with the Innocence Project, a nonprofit dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people, and she eventually convinced them to take Kenny’s case. The Innocence Project conducted DNA testing on evidence from the crime scene, and the testing showed that the blood found at the scene did not belong to Kenny.
Kenny Waters was acquitted in 2001 after serving 18 years in prison. He died six months after his release in 2001.
The movie “Conviction” is a dramatization of a true story, but is essentially accurate. Based on real people and events, the film captures the essence of Betty Anne Waters’ journey to rehabilitate her brother.
The film was well received by critics and audiences alike. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, including a Best Actress nomination for Hilary Swank, who played Betty Anne Waters.
If you are interested in learning more about the true story of Betty Anne Waters and Kenny Waters, I recommend reading Convicted: The Untold Story of Wrongful Convictions by Pamela Koloff Story and the Triumph of the Human Spirit.
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incriminating circumstances
Betty Anne Waters’ life revolves around her brother Kenneth, whose fate becomes entangled with a murder. Despite Kenneth’s penchant for causing trouble, their bond remains unbreakable.
Following the murder of Katherina Reitz Brow in Ayr, Massachusetts on May 21, 1980, Kenneth was initially taken in for questioning by Sergeant Nancy Taylor, but was later released . Two years later, however, new witness testimony led to Kenneth’s arrest and trial.
The evidence presented during the trial was purely circumstantial, but he was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The key witnesses against him were Sergeant Taylor, his ex-wife Brenda and ex-girlfriend Rosanna.
A few years later, Betty Anne was living with her husband, Rick, and their two sons, Richard and Ben. Betty Anne anxiously awaits Kenneth’s weekly phone calls from prison, discovers he has attempted suicide, and decides to embark on an incredible journey. She is determined to become a lawyer to prove Kenneth’s innocence. Despite her determination, her husband’s lack of support strained their relationship, leading to their separation and eventual divorce.
Betty Anne’s challenges as a working mother in law school are illuminated through flashbacks, revealing her difficult upbringing with an uncaring mother, leading to her and Kenneth’s struggles and eventual separation to separate of foster homes.
Betty Anne still visited Kenneth in prison while juggling work and school, but her busy schedule caused her to miss planned outings with her sons, causing them to move in with their father. Amid personal struggles, a turning point came when a friend encouraged her to return to school.
In a research group, Betty Anne learns about the emerging field of DNA testing and realizes that it has the potential to overturn Kenneth’s conviction since only the blood types were a match in the original trial. She contacted Innocence Project attorney Barry Scheck with the goal of speeding up the process by passing the bar exam and finding the blood evidence herself.
Despite the obstacles she faced, Betty Anne persevered. She discovers that Nancy Taylor was fired from the police force for fabricating evidence in another case, which deepens her doubts about Kenneth’s conviction. Although initially told that the evidence had been destroyed, Betty Anne’s persistence led her to recover it with the help of her friend Abra. Subsequent DNA testing revealed that the blood was not Kenneth’s.
Encouraged by this development, Betty Anne and Kenneth hoped for his release, but the District Attorney’s Office, represented by Martha Coakley, refused to vacate the conviction, claiming there was still enough evidence to consider him a co-conspirator. Despite the setback, Betty Anne refused to give in to the advice of Sheik, who emphasized that their discovery exposed not only Kenneth’s innocence but also the witness’s deceit.
Betty Anne, Abra, and Shayk visit Kenneth’s ex-wife and ex-girlfriend, revealing the perjury they were forced to commit, thereby obtaining Kenneth’s ex-wife’s affidavit and key DNA evidence. As a result, Kenneth’s conviction was overturned and he was freed in June 2001.
Betty Anne helps him reconnect with his daughter Mandy, whom he has been unable to contact while incarcerated. Kenneth found comfort in being reunited with his sister and her sons.
The epilogue chronicles Betty Anne’s continued commitment to working on the bar and working with the Innocence Project in an effort to prevent wrongful convictions. Notably, she reached a substantial settlement with the Ayer Police Department and Nancy Taylor, although Taylor avoided charges due to expired regulatory restrictions. The mystery of Katharina Blow’s true killer remains unsolved.
Convicted Cast
|
actor |
Role |
|
Hilary Swank |
Betty Anne Waters |
|
trustee madison |
Young Betty Anne Waters |
|
Sam Rockwell |
Kenny Waters |
|
minnie driver |
abrami |
|
Elle Barda |
University Teachers |
|
Melissa Leo |
Nancy Taylor |
|
Ari Graynor |
Mandy Marsh |
|
Loren Dean |
Rick Miller |
|
Karen Young |
Elizabeth Waters |
|
Jennifer G. Roberts |
Martha Coakley |
|
Clea Duvall |
Brenda Marsh |
|
Juliette Lewis |
roseanne perry |
|
Peter Gallagher |
Barry Shirk |
Where can I watch the movie “Conviction”?
The film “Conviction” is available to watch on various digital platforms. If you are interested in watching it, you can choose to rent or purchase it on platforms such as iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, and Vudu.
This means you can watch movies from the comfort of your own home using these services. Whether you prefer to rent for temporary viewing or purchase for ongoing access, these platforms offer a convenient way to enjoy “Conviction.”
Conviction trailer
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