Conviction, the “inspirational true story” movie

Fox Searchlight has released the trailer for Tony Goldwyn‘s Conviction, the “inspirational true story” of Betty Anne Waters (played by Hilary Swank), “a high school dropout who spent nearly two decades working as a single mother while putting herself through law school, tirelessly trying to beat the system and overturn her brother’s unjust murder conviction.” Sam Rockwell plays her brother, and the supporting cast includes Minnie Driver, Melissa Leo, Peter Gallagher, and Juliette Lewis. Seems like they took the Erin Brokovich formula, combining an inspirational true story with some great Academy Award winning and nominated actors. The voice over is a bit much, and the musical cue from Avatar is a bit distracting (yes, I know its originally from The Island…), but overall it looks like it could be a good film.

Watch the trailer now embedded after the jump

Official Plot Synopsis:

CONVICTION is the inspirational true story of a sister’s unwavering devotion to her brother. When Betty Anne Waters’ (two-time Academy® Award winner Hilary Swank) older brother Kenny (Sam Rockwell) is arrested for murder and sentenced to life in 1983, Betty Anne, a Massachusetts wife and mother of two, dedicates her life to overturning the murder conviction. Convinced that her brother is innocent, Betty Anne puts herself through high school, college and, finally, law school in an 18 year quest to free Kenny. With the help of best friend Abra Rice (Academy Award nominee Minnie Driver), Betty Anne pours through suspicious evidence mounted by small town cop Nancy Taylor (Academy Award nominee Melissa Leo), meticulously retracing the steps that led to Kenny’s arrest. Belief in her brother – and her quest for the truth – pushes Betty Anne and her team to uncover the facts and utilize DNA evidence with the hope of exonerating Kenny.

Conviction hited theaters on October 15th, 2010.