Changeling (2008)

272 out of 272 people found the following review helpful:

YES, ANG CAN ACT... SHE HAS AN OSCAR, DON'T YOU KNOW...

hunkydomste from from Liverpool, 5th December, 2008

La Jolie is brilliant at kicking butt, no doubt about it. Yet it is easy to forget that behind the action stylings of Lara Croft, Wanted's Fox or loooong time ago (but unfortunately not forgotten) Gone In 40 Seconds hides a seriously talented actress. After all, Angelina did win an Academy Award for a brilliant performance in Girl, Interrupted.

There are shadows of just that film to be found in Changeling, of course. But the leading lady's powerful performance during an enforced stint in a Psychiatric Hospital is by no means the only strong point of this Clint Eastwood directed, true story gut wrencher.

Eastwood is a seasoned director, established and respected for the likes of Million Dollar Baby or the early Unforgiven. This then, is another big credit to him. The films muted colours, sets and performances are immersing, harrowing and credible. The story is one that is so close to home with recent events, yet so unbelievable, it borders on estrangement. The point that Eastwood makes, through his film and the actors' and actresses' outstanding deliveries is: this happened. And like it or not, it was not all that long ago.

Christine Collins (Jolie) is a single mum who returns home from work one afternoon to find her son Walter has disappeared. When the police weeks later present her with a child they claim is Walter, Christine knows this is not her son. She soon sees herself bullied and forced into silence by a corrupt police department that would rather throw a woman undermining its competence into a psychiatric hospital than admit an error.

I will not spoil the film by giving away any more of the story, but it is twisting, red-herringed and gripping to the very end. Changeling is by no means an easy watch or a walk in the park, but for those who like their drama haunting and their performances powerful, this is just the ticket.

BRILLIANT.

SEE THIS IF YOU LIKED
* GONE BABY GONE
* GIRL, INTERRUPTED
* LA CONFIDENTIAL

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46 out of 60 people found the following review helpful:

Jolie brilliant but subject matter too harrowing

A Customer from Shrewsbury, England, 4th December, 2008

This is apparently a true story but the crimes are so heinous I don't think the subject matter is suitable for the big screen. I certainly found this film quite disturbing. Is Clint Eastwood really so arrogant (or shallow?) that he thought he could recreate the tragedy of this story? The whole approach is so American too - the trial scenes at the end where the LAPD are brought to justice (small reward for the mother given the circumstances). Was this ending supposed to make us feel better? Admittedly Jolie was brilliant but I wouldn't recommend this to anyone wanting to relax with a film. If you want to be upset why not just turn on the radio and listen to the news?

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30 out of 32 people found the following review helpful:

Best I have seen this year

A Customer from Beverley, 4th December, 2008

This film is based on a true story that took place in Los Angeles in early 19th Century. It tells the story of a devoted mother (Angelina Jolie) who was looking after her missing son, Walter Collins. The police, wishing to show some results, produced a boy, convincing him he is Walter, but unsuccessfully convincing the mother, who still insisted that the boy was not her son, and that the police should continue the search after Walter. When she refused to let go, the unscrupulous police captain (Jeffrey T. Donovan) ordered to commit her to psychological therapy. To rescue came a local reverend (John Malkovich) who was pursuing the police for corruption allegations and other illegal activities. Michael Kelly is impressive as the only honest detective who is actually trying to serve justice, not some partisan, ulterior motives. The story is tragic and painful. The cast is wonderful. Eastwood directs the movie with his usual sensitivity and punctuation. He also composed the beautiful, captivating music. This guy is something else. This is the best movie I have seen this year. If you are seeking an emotional drama that will penetrate your heart, this one is for you.

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22 out of 22 people found the following review helpful:

Deeply affecting LA period drama

Daniel Pollard from Manchester, England, 3rd March, 2009

This is the unbelievable true story of child abduction, police corruption and multiple child murders in 1920s Los Angeles. It’s directed by mainstream filmmaker Clint Eastwood and stars Angelina Jolie. Eastwood beautifully captures and recreates the city with a mix of real locations and post-production CGI effects. The locations really evoke the feel of seminal historical LA films such as Roman Polanski’s masterpiece, Chinatown and Curtis Hanson’s LA Confidential. Also similar to Chinatown is the melancholic soundtrack of 1920s lounge music with affecting saxophone and piano solos. The music, combined with steam trains, old cars, art deco buildings, trams, great suits and of course, as it’s the 1920, lots of smoking, makes the period feel completely believable. The story and narrative is propelled forward by Eastwood’s classy direction, even though the film clocks in at 140 minutes. His unfussy directorial style, along with the unnoticeable CGI, lets the story speak for itself. The performances are solid, especially Jolie’s, who gives the performance of her career and should have won the 2009 Oscar for best female lead. She brings so much depth to the role and her performance is so much more about restraint and understatement than sentimental emotional hysteria Although the role allows her the scope to give a full blown over the top performance, she plays it down, reins it in, and the film really benefits from this. Overall, a hugely recommendable film despite its beak and toughness which never lets up for a second.

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Great Movie

Janeybell from , 20th March, 2010

This was an absolutely fab movie, although very sad so have your tissues ready. I would highly recommend this film to both men and women. Shocking to think this is a true story..

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Changeling - really good

A Customer from Manchester, 19th March, 2010

Enjoyed this film, really gud. even better as based on a true story so went online after to find out about the story details etc.. Quite touching and emotional at times.. well worth watching

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Split decision

Randomfilmbuff from , 19th March, 2010

This film has the two extremes - brilliant acting by both ms jolie and john. however, the film follows such a conventional format, it fails to outshine other films.

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The Changeling

A Customer from Kent, 19th March, 2010

Supposedly based on a true story I found it implausible early on in the film that the missing boy's teacher, dentist and neighbours failed to convince the (albeit corrupt) police authority and advisors that the missing boy and the changeling were not the same person. Quite clearly poetic licence was taken. That aside the the rest of the film was plausible and gripping throughout as the mother fought for the truth against a corrupt police authority. The fabric,costumes and atmosphere of 1920's/30's America were expertley re-created. I would definately recommend this film.

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