We are family: Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell star in Conviction
Conviction--Around awards season, there are those particular films that aren't subtle about their desire to snag a few Oscars. The trailer for Conviction seemed to suggest the film was just another one of those, with the overbearing music and titles. However, Conviction turns out to be a sweet and gentle film on a much smaller-scale with its own emotional power that never comes across as preachy or excessive. Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell play siblings who share an inseparable bond that the film successfully portrays without hitting many cliches. Once Rockwell's character is arrested and convicted for murder, his sister sets out to become a lawyer just so she can get him out.
The surprises of Conviction begin with the narrative structure. It easily jumps around from flashbacks to the present without much confusion, while rightfully serving the story. The performances are all top-notch, as well--Swank is terrific while maintaining a good sense of restraint, coming off as a real human being rather than giving an inauthentic, suppressive turn. Rockwell is dynamite, and is sure to get his first (finally) nomination as he portrays mystery, sympathy, and humor into a character we come to know and trust. The supporting cast, notably Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher, and Melissa Leo, are somewhat underused and don't have completely fleshed-out characters, but are effective in their roles nonetheless. While Conviction does a fine job with its cast, cinematography, editing, and mostly all other components, it seems as if that's it. It does a fine job, and doesn't shoot any higher. Part of the problem is that we're kept at a distance from the characters, and they only come off as the actors playing them rather than real people. It's not the actors' faults, it's just that if Goldwyn made different thematic decisions to portray the hardships and relational issues, they'd come across as more accessible and even more believable. That aside, Conviction is still a very good film in its own right--its an enjoyable and uplifting story with emotional heft and an outstanding performance from Rockwell.
Grade: B+
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