Swank is one of our most gifted actresses, frequently able to elevate the most pedantic storylines into gripping dramas due to her devotion to the role. Freedom Writers and Conviction were both basically by the numbers docudramas but Swank's utter sincerity manage to elevate them about the ordinary. I don't know of many other perofmers who have the ability to play the 'Everywoman' better than Swank and when she gets a great role she is sublime. Is it possible to win two Academy Awards for Best Actress and still be underrated? I honestly think its true of her.