Conviction

Film: Conviction (2010)
Dir: Tony Goldwyn
Rating: *** out of 5 stars



Not all love stories look alike. They range from sweeping historical epics to light-hearted fairytales to Nicholas Sparks drivel. Conviction is a love story too, but this one is between a sister and a brother. Based on an incredible true story, the script is moving and filled with solid performances; however, it is marred by heavy-handed melodrama and sloppy directing. It is good for a few tugs on the heartstrings, but given its powerful subject matter, the movie could have been much better.

Hilary Swank portrays Betty Ann Waters, a real-life Massachusetts woman who dedicated her life to becoming a lawyer in order to exonerate her imprisoned brother. In 1983, Kenneth “Kenny” Waters was convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery, and sentenced to life without possibility of parole. Believing her brother to be innocent, Betty Ann set out to prove it. When no one could help her, she enrolled in college, and eventually law school, all while raising her own family. Meanwhile, the movie shows Kenny (Sam Rockwell) declining quickly in prison as his sister works tirelessly to save him.

The dedication of the real Betty Ann, as portrayed by Swank, is beautiful and moving. She sacrificed her life for Kenny, who became hopeless and even suicidal while imprisoned. The story is one of those unbelievable tearjerkers about the power of love and family. Swank pays fitting tribute to the real heroine with a strong, emotional performance. Rockwell really shines also, portraying Kenny with the kind of intensity only Sam can deliver. Minnie Driver and Peter Gallagher are also enjoyable as two lawyers who ultimately help Betty Ann in her struggle.

Although the performances are solid, the storytelling itself is lacking. Director Tony Goldwyn, who is best known for his acting, has helmed mostly romantic features in the past, and it shows here. A few scenes are excessively heavy-handed and sappy. The story itself is way more inspiring and gripping than the movie portraying that story. Furthermore, Goldwyn jumps all over the place with Betty Ann’s timeline. There is nothing wrong with a non-linear narrative, so long as it feels consistent and not muddled like this.

Conviction is a film worth seeing if only to experience the incredible real story of Betty Ann and Kenny Waters. Their tale is sure to inspire goose bumps and tears for even the toughest filmgoers. As amazing as the story is, it probably would have been equally effective if portrayed in a television piece or documentary because the storytelling here is weak. Aside from the actors, very little about the film itself stands out. The directing, cinematography, music, art design – nothing exceeds mediocre. Even the script is based very closely on the real events. Being a love story and an against-all-odds drama, this movie should be a lot more gripping. This is just one of those cases where real life is more extraordinary than film.

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The Town

Film: The Town (2010)
Dir: Ben Affleck
Rating: ****1/2 out of 5



Ben Affleck’s entrance into the limelight began with an Oscar-winning screenplay, and yet ever since the man has been an on-and-off laughing stock among filmgoers. Between highly-publicized romances off-screen and highly-unwatchable performances on-screen, Affleck had unwittingly disappeared into Matt Damon’s shadow. Now, after helming two critically-acclaimed films of his own, Affleck is finally a force to be reckoned with. His latest writing-directing effort is The Town, a Boston crime drama that rivals some of the best films in its genre (ie, Heat; The Departed).

Affleck portrays the lead, Doug MacRay, a good-hearted criminal who grew up in the small Boston town of Charlestown, where bank robbery has become a family trade. Doug’s adopted family is comprised of thieves and a junkie ex-girlfriend (Blake Lively). His closest friend is Jim (Jeremy Renner), a hot-headed bank robber who has no qualms about hurting anyone who stands in his way. Doug and his crew knock over armored trucks and the occasional bank with impressive precision.

They are great at what they do, much to the dismay of the FBI agent (Jon Hamm) who is after them. During a local bank robbery, Jim takes manager Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall) hostage. After letting her go, Jim worries she might be able to identify them, so he asks Doug to get close to her. Doug ends up falling for Claire, and yearns to escape his lifestyle - but as with any crime family, getting out is never easy.

The Town grabs the viewer right from the start, and each subsequent action sequence gets better and better. Michael Mann’s Heat is a film that is famous for its incredible heist scenes, and frankly, The Town blows it out of the water. The robberies, the car chases, the stand-offs, the gunfire – all are expertly executed here. Affleck definitely has a knack for pacing and tension. Even the sets and costumes involved in each robbery are fantastic.

In addition to being a suspenseful heist film, it packs a pretty impressive script (co-written by Affleck also). All the characters are fantastic and the dialogue is both realistic and profound. Even Charlestown becomes a character itself, like a Godfather figure whom these small-town criminals worship and fear. The town is synonymous with the bank robbery lifestyle, and neither will let Doug walk away without a fight. He is torn between feelings for Claire and loyalty to his Charlestown family. The story here is a familiar cinema convention, but when it is told this well, the story never gets old.

Rounding out the great action sequences and script is a cast of fantastic actors. Affleck himself is really good in the lead role, topped only by the ever-wonderful Jeremy Renner. As Jim, he is intense, scary, and often hilarious. He is the character you know you should not root for but you cannot help it. Jon Hamm is also great as the proverbial “cat” in the cat-and-mouse chase between the FBI and the Charlestown gang. Hall and Lively also fill their roles well, as the women who define Doug’s future and past, respectively.

The Town is the type of movie that film critics and frat boys alike can enjoy. The drama is powerful and the action is intense. A few minor weak spots in the script keep it from perfect, but there is so much to love here. Much like Affleck’s directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone, this film is sure to be lauded by the Academy. And judging by its performance at the box office this past weekend, filmgoers are getting on-board, too. Ben Affleck can breathe a sigh of relief that after this movie, nobody will even remember he was in Gigli.

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