When Betty Anne Waters' older brother Kenny 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, Betty Anne pores through suspicious evidence mounted by small town cop Nancy Taylor, 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.
Acting
Swank and Rockwell's volatile sibling chemistry is devastating
Writing
True story that respects the 18-year grind
Direction
Goldwyn keeps courtroom clichés surprisingly fresh
Director
Tony Goldwyn
Hilary Swank
Betty Anne Waters
Sam Rockwell
Kenny Waters
Minnie Driver
Abra Rice
Melissa Leo
Nancy Taylor
Peter Gallagher
Barry Scheck
Ari Graynor
Mandy Marsh
Loren Dean
Rick Miller
Conor Donovan
Richard Miller
Owen Campbell
Ben Miller
Bailee Madison
Young Betty Anne
Clea DuVall
Brenda Marsh
Karen Young
Elizabeth Waters
Talia Balsam
Prosecuting Attorney
John Pyper-Ferguson
Aidan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Betty Anne Waters appears briefly as a bartender in the film's opening scene.
The Innocence Project, featured through Barry Scheck's character, has since exonerated hundreds using DNA evidence.
US
