, 1h47 Directed byTony Goldwyn OriginUSA GenresDrama, Thriller, Biography ThemesPrison films, Films about capital punishment, Children's films ActorsHilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver, Juliette Lewis, John Pyper-Ferguson, Melissa Leo Roles Gum chewing girl (uncredited) Rating71% The film is based on the true story of Betty Anne Waters, a single mother who works tirelessly to free her wrongfully convicted brother, Kenny. The story unfolds in flashbacks, and the film opens with the scene of the brutal 1980 murder of Katharina Brow in Ayer, Massachusetts. In many ways, Betty Anne's life revolves around her brother, who is now in jail for the murder. Despite Kenny's knack for getting in trouble, they have always been close. After the murder, Kenny is initially brought in for questioning by Sergeant Nancy Taylor (Melissa Leo), but released. Two years later, based on new testimony from two witnesses, Kenny is arrested and tried. The evidence presented at Kenny's trial is entirely circumstantial, but he is convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The three main witnesses against him are Taylor, his ex-wife, Brenda (Clea DuVall), and an ex-girlfriend, Roseanna (Juliette Lewis).