The first thing I thought of when talking with Betty Anne Waters was Hilary Swank.  Swank portrayed Waters in the new film “Conviction,” currently in theaters.  The movie is the true story of how Betty Anne went to incredible lengths to free her brother Kenny from jail.  These lengths included a journey from High School drop out to graduating Law School in order to free Kenny (portrayed in the film by Sam Rockwell).

All of the attention Betty Anne received from Kenny’s case doesn’t appear to have put stars in her eyes.  She is humble, still managing a Pub in her hometown and working with The Innocence Project, a group started by Barry Scheck devoted to freeing wrongly convicted men and women through proof used in DNA evidence.   Betty Anne took time to talk with us about her brother, her story, and even her favorite beer.

They got me.

I had an inkling of an idea of what to expect in “Conviction,” a new drama from Fox Searchlight pictures about Kenny Waters (Sam Rockwell), a man convicted of murder and the desperate lengths his sister Betty Anne (Hillary Swank) goes to in order to free him.  These desperate lengths include Betty Anne, a high school drop out, finishing her GED and proceeding all the way through Law School to be his lawyer and fought for his freedom. 

The film is based on a true story, and fits squarely in the drama category of films – it does not try and reinvent the genre, change how dramas are told, or throw in any new 3D effects.  It just tells a good story.

As with all true stories, the audience becomes engrossed in one question – how much of this is true, and what has been altered for storytelling and dramatic effect?  Reason being, the basic heart of the story seems so remarkable.  However, leaving those reservations at the door can be a prerequisite to enjoying or being let down by films of this type.