Conviction is a testament to the strong ties of a brother sentenced to prison for murder and his sister who sacrifices everything including years of her own life to prove his innocence.  The film, adapted by Pamela Gray and directed by Tony Goldwyn, is based on a real-life story.

Kenny (Sam Rockwell) and Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) were among nine children raised by their single mother. As seen through flashbacks -- in harsh times and devoid of true mentors, the two-siblings formed a close bond early on. Yet each chose a different path into adulthood. Now disorderly and rebellious, Kenny has fits of anger that erupt at all the wrong times and keep him under police radar all of the time. Betty Anne hasn’t had it easy either. She’s balancing her marriage, kids and job as a bartender.

When Kenny is accused of the murder of a young woman based only on circumstantial evidence -- before DNA was in use -- Betty Anne’s life takes a new focus. Time drags on before her brother is even brought to trial, and Betty Anne does everything in her power to find out the truth. When he’s convicted, based mostly on biased witnesses’ testimonies, Betty Anne knows she can’t give up on him.

Years go by, and Betty Anne goes through a divorce, suffers alienation by her children and is forced to work even harder as she begins night school to get a law degree so she can better fight for her brother’s appeal. That sounds totally Hollywood, but it’s true.

When Kenny, depressed and with little hope, tries to commit suicide in prison, Betty Anne tells him, “You promise that you'll stay alive and I will go to law school.”

Unfortunately, the film seems too long and misses some key opportunities to build on the real drama. We get a lot of what Betty Anne does over nearly 18 years, but much of it is too repetitive. The story is interesting, and performances by Swank and Rockwell keep the intrigue building. Swank is great at intently focusing on a character, as she did in her Oscar-winning roles for Million Dollar Baby and Boys Don’t’ Cry. But the overburden script dilutes some of her efforts here.

Again, because the majority of Rockwell’s scenes take place in jail, there’s little room for him to explore his strength as an actor. But a few scenes do stand out revealing the emotional depths that Kenny suffers and can’t abide. Melissa Leo does a good job as the suspicious cop who might have framed Kenny. Minnie Driver plays Betty Anne’s best friend but has little screen time. Juliette Lewis, portraying one of Kenny’s former ex-girlfriends who testify, comes across as  quirky and relevant as usual.

It’s difficult to say who will like Conviction. It’s not a great film, but not a really bad one either. I think it will appeal mostly to Swank fans and those who like true crime dramas.

(Released by Summit Entertainment and rated “R” for profanity and violence.)

Review also posted at www.reviewexpress.com.