Conviction

FIRST: Let us FOCUS on the Title´s Content and Context...

"I could have easily vanished into the gravitational pull of that South Philly Black Hole...But by consistent hard work...and the grace of God, I broke free!" That's how Carl Upchurch (Omar Epps) sums up his life. I promised a friend BMWTOO I would watch this film and review, giving my very best, 100 % effort...Here it is:

Couldn't help notice one reviewer's comments about how CONVICTION seemed to focus too much on Upchurch's underprivileged upbringing and violently criminal youth and not enough on his accomplishments later in life. Sadly, I feel these reviewers missed the whole point of CONVICTION! To the contrary...I think its greatest strength is how painstakingly the story takes us through Upchurch's step by step, stage by stage metamorphosis from murderous sociopathic small-time hood to national community organizer/leader, who has exerted a positive influence on our entire culture and country!

KUDOS to Epps! What a superb on-screen, slow-burn transition! Remember the scene in Clockwork Orange where Malcolm MacDowell's character is strapped to a chair with his eyes held open by force to make him see images geared to recondition him? Well, if I were dictator, all those who wouldn't watch CONVICTION voluntarily would get that last option! (Remember NOT to vote for ME if I run for office!) Sadly, Wikipedia's information on Upchurch is a scant 20 words and has been poorly entered and linked. (Check it out for yourself) If you GOOGLE his name, you'll find much better source material elsewhere. Does CONVICTION have faults? OK, this is a Showtime production, so you know the drill, right? Even though it does suffer from several Made-4-TV shortcomings, that are par for the course, the true story is profoundly inspirational and merits 5*, but my overall rating is 8.5********

This is not an entirely bad movie and the issues it touches upon are certainly important. What is more, the acting is not brilliant but it could have been a lot worse. The score is not anything that stays in your memory a minute longer than the actual length of the movie but it is not repelling either. Then why do I dislike Conviction? It certainly lacks in a convincing and coherent plot. The murderer and ruthless criminal reading aloud Shakespeare's sonnets in a prison cell is just the first far-fetched scene. But then it gets even worse and more boring. If there is anything that will make me remember this film, it is the sentence spoken by the main character 'You are not born a n***er, you are made a n***er'. But these words could have been illustrated in a far more interesting way.

The movie is based on a true story about a young man (played by Omar Epps) in and out of the system. It does a good job portraying the system and rehabilitating yourself. I'm not sure what the previous comment was about exciting prison stuff. The only thing I can derive from that is something rather perverted. All-in-all, it makes a good moral attempt. The movie is excellent and is about setting higher standards for yourself and choosing the right path.

The point of this film is not in great picture and light,or a sound,or directing...not even about lead actor,as many movies this days are.No,the point is a man,a man who this movie is about,and his work and dedication to make this world a better place.Movie carries his message,his strength and his believes,his weakness and power and will to menage them,to deal with them...It tell us about strength of faith,and love.It feel very strong,and right,even lead actor sometime pass to leave same impact.But it can be forgiven,and cut some slacks,cause impression and general "feel",movie itself made,is strong. So,I give this movie a 10,not for picture or a sound,not for light or a directing...just for "feel" that world can be better if we all do our part and try harder to make it better,if we all do our chores and believe,if we find that strength,courage and light inside us.That impact this movies had on me.As to a great man about who is the movie,rest in peace,Carl Upchurch and thank you for your light,that made darkness around us less dark.Peace.

It's the true story of how a man, John Upchurch, dragged himself away from the negativity of his upbringing, and used the experience to help others.

The movie shows his violent past, and how he saw the futility of his way of life as time past. One quote which was along the lines of, "Just because I have a lot of miles on the clock doesn't mean I'm going soft, I'm getting wise" sums it up to a certain extent.

On the whole it was better at the beginning than the end, where it got a bit slow, but on the whole it was very watchable, with a good display by the lead actor.