Father and child sit together smiling while looking at a smart phone.

Want more recommendations for your family?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration

Parents' Guide to

Conviction

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Intense, fact-based crime drama celebrates family ties.

Movie R 2010 107 minutes
Conviction Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 12+

Based on 5 parent reviews

wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
September 15, 2013
age 15+

Absolutely wonderful!

Conviction was a very good film!! Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell were amazing together. Lots of popular actors in this one that I didn't see coming...I love Minnie Driver and her character was fun-loving and I didn't expect to see Juliette Lewis who also did a fantastic job (Clea Duval is another one!). The movie is very sad sometimes especially the fact that it's based on a true story. It deals with lots of family drama and a courageous woman who would give her life for her brother. Growing up in a bad environment and being sent to over seven foster homes, Betty (Swank) and her brother Kenneth (Rockwell) only had each other, they were best friends and looked out for one another. Everything seemed to work out as adults, Betty has a nice family with two great sons but a non-supportive husband causes a divorce. Kenneth has a baby girl. One day, for no explanation at all, Kenneth was wrongly accused of a crime he never committed. It drives Betty crazy to see her brother go through life in prison, so she decides to become a lawyer! No matter how long it takes (ended up taking 18 years), she's determined to prove that he is innocent. The violence includes fighting, lots of arguing, a man shows his slit wrists from trying to commit suicide, close children (brother and sister) separated with screaming and crying, gory photos of a murdered woman. Language is very strong with lots of f-words, sh*t, b*tch, d@mn and more. Sexual content is mild but has nudity at a bar of a man who strips for comedy but you see him from behind (bare butt and everything), a few kisses by a married couple. There is smoking and drinking (man gets tipsy at a bar). GREAT messages and role models. Overall, wonderful film, a definite must see. 15+ viewers.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
kenward42
kenward42 Adult
October 20, 2011
age 12+

A must see movie

Great movie about a heartbreaking situation for the Waters family.
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When her older brother, Kenneth (Sam Rockwell), is arrested and convicted for a crime he insists he didn't commit, Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) fights to exonerate him, no matter how much time or effort it takes. And it turns out to take 18 years, most of which she spends getting first her high school diploma, then going to college, then attending law school and passing the bar so she can serve as Kenneth's counsel and make sure he clears his name. But Betty Anne's dedication has a cost: Her husband's not sure how much longer he can hang on, and her kids get less and less of her time. Yet she perseveres, determined to get her brother out of jail. Is he innocent? Will she succeed? This drama based on the life of the real Betty Anne Waters charts Betty Anne and Kenneth's journey through the criminal justice system.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (1 ):

If CONVICTION were a present wrapped up in shiny paper and tied with a big red bow, it would have "Happy Oscar nomination!" stamped on it specifically for Swank. The film seems engineered for maximum make-the-audience-feel effect, with a compelling storyline and a heartwarming message about family loyalty and tenacity. Swank cries, persists, moves, overcomes, and survives: the perfect awards concoction. The movie is inspirational with a capital "I."

Despite that transparency and that fact that it follows the typical conventions of the courtroom-drama-with-uplifting-ending genre, Conviction is, cynicism aside, quite moving. How can you not sympathize with a woman who isn't merely a figment of some screenwriter's imagination but an actual human being who displays such fortitude and faith? How can you not admire a sibling relationship that encourages such dedication? Rockwell gives his performance ample bite without undercutting the film's tender message; whenever he's onscreen, he compels. And though there's something a little mechanical in Swank's Best-Actress-y repertoire, she makes us forget that she's a Hollywood actress playing make-believe. Art imitates life, and what a powerful movie it made.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Betty Anne's unwavering faith in her brother. Why does she believe in him so steadfastly? Do you think she ever had doubts? If so, why might the filmmakers decide not to dwell on that?

  • How does the film depict Betty Anne's journey? Has it been sugar coated, or does it seem realistic?

  • What is the film saying about the criminal justice system? How does it compare to most movies depicting a crime and its consequences?

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate