Changeling (2008)

Average rating

(78%)

Starring:	Angelina Jolie \| John Malkovich \| Devon Gearhart \| Michael Kelly \| Jeffrey Donovan \| Jason Butler Harner \| Devon Conti \| Eddie Alderson \| Gabriel Schwalenstocker \| Jason Ciok \| Kevin Glikmann
Director:	Clint Eastwood
Studio:	UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Run time:	140 mins
Collections:	100 Feisty Females \| 100 Hot Hits
Genres:	Drama \| Thriller
Languages:	English
Released:	March 30, 2009

A mother's prayer for her kidnapped son to return home is answered, though it doesn't take long for her to suspect the boy who comes back is not hers.

Screenshots

Rating of 5 stars out of 5
Time Out

Great directors have an ability to make any material their own and take risks where others would demur. That is not to...

Highest rated reviews

300 out of 300 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4.0 stars
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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56 out of 71 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 2.0 stars
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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38 out of 41 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 5.0 stars
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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