This production is very well-meaning, calculated, telegraphed, obvious. As we will come to find out, ad infinitum, cinematic sincerity won’t always help situations like this, though cinematic anger might. The Ex-Convict renders a real social problem, and reflects real activist fury in the face thereof. As usual, the accidental documentary details (how the child is dressed, the dimensions and durations of the street scenes) add considerable vividness and value to the mix. It’s not only implausible, it’s ridiculous that this poor fellow tries to rob that particular house, but the depth of feeling communicated when he meets the girl he saved, and then her father, is anything but ridiculous.