ViewGuide

Created Mar 23, 2012 08:31PM PST • Edited Mar 23, 2012 08:31PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Good 3.0

   Don’t mess with a sister on a mission to save her brother. Especially if she is Hillary Swank, and her brother is Sam Rockwell. Conviction spins an unlikely tale that is, umm, I guess based on real life. Perhaps the Hollywood definition of real life? So how does she try to save her low-life drunkard bro from the jaws of life in prison? Oh yean, and despite the fact that she’s a hard-living B-Town single mom surrounded by losers? Why, by putting herself through law school and taking it to the man! Unlikely as that may seem, it ends up being engrossing enough to hold you, full of drama, and well executed by with some great acting.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   Hilary Swank and her female co-stars are great. She stands out as the get tough B-town sis. Minnie Driver is also a kick as the hard driving friend with the mouth. And then there is Melissa Leo who is outstanding as a tough old cop who isn’t always on the up and up. Didn’t get enough estrogen? There’s also Juliette Lewis (on TV in the Firm) really great as an alcoholic ex girlfriend and Ari Graynor shows well as Sam’s estranged daughter. And Sam? We’ll he’s just the guy to shine through all that femininity. His role as the loser-ish drunk and eventual convict was top notch.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Good 3.0

    Nothing special, but nothing bad either.

11. Direction Good 3.0

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music Good 3.0

14. Visuals Good 3.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.2

17. Sex Titillating 2.2

18. Violence Fierce 2.2

19. Rudeness Salty 2.2

21. Reality

    Glib 1.5

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.5

23. Biological Glib 1.5

24. Physical Glib 1.5