Fox Searchlight has debuted the first trailer for Conviction, based on the true story of Betty Anne Waters, who "puts herself through high school, college and, finally, law school in an 18-year quest" to overturn her brother's murder conviction.  Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Melissa Leo, and Minnie Driver star under the direction of Tony Goldwyn (The Last Kiss).  Check out the trailer after the jump.

Waters' life is a truly fantastic story --- the kind that's tailor-made for feel-good cinema.  The trailer doesn't convince me that Conviction will escape the clichés of the "inspirational true story" genre, but a really solid cast should help sell it.

conviction_poster_small

Here's the official synopsis:

CONVICTION is the inspirational true story of a sister’s unwavering devotion to her brother. When Betty Anne Waters’ (two-time Academy® Award winner Hilary Swank) older brother Kenny (Sam Rockwell) 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 (Academy Award nominee Minnie Driver), Betty Anne pours through suspicious evidence mounted by small town cop Nancy Taylor (Academy Award nominee Melissa Leo), 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.

Conviction hits theaters on October 15, 2010.  Click on over to Apple for HD.