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Released 26th November 2008
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Clint Eastwood is maturing into a master of filmmaking designed to line up the predicted Academy nominations with some quite moving cinematography. And the real-life story that his latest period drama, Changeling, is based on is so powerful and significantly influential that it’s surprising it has stayed buried in the depths of the dusty Los Angeles City Hall archives for so long. If it were not for a quick-thinking City Hall employee, this tale would have been lost to history. It sounds much like a melodrama in itself, but the story of one young single mother, Christine Collins’ fight to end police corruption in the city, after her son goes missing in 1920s’ America, is the stuff that movies are made of, so it’s thankful that someone with Eastwood’s on/off-camera experience and ex-journalist/scriptwriter J. Michael Straczynski’s press contacts has adoptedit and done it some credit.
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For all its faults and frustrating variety of ‘red herring’ endings, Changeling is an undeniably, beautifully captivating film — so, too, is the still-underrated Angelina Jolie as a serious actress. The stunning star should be proud of her performance, here, as she pours her heart, soul and own mothering experience into making Christine as fragile, vulnerable and strong-spirited as possible — even if the character is guilty of repeating the words “my son” too many times for comfort in the somewhat questionable script. As Christine, Jolie wonderfully relays the pain and suffering a mother would go through after the horrific reality of a child going missing in some heart-wrenching, close-up moments. This biography-cum-mystery-cum-crime-drama is unique as it follows the hardship of the victim, rather than the investigation, but it’s far from a’victim story’ as it changes tune mid-way through to become a political platform for justice, ear-marking a monumental period of change in LAPD history. Eastwood’s direction is commendable in making these developments as subtle as possible, without losing the biographical and missing-child’sub’-plots. Even though the film runs for 141 minutes, it does feel as though you are watching one a lot shorter in duration — albeit, the various ‘conclusions’ that tie up the loose ends begin to provoke some disgruntled sighs and bottom-shuffling for a few.
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John Malkovich, as ever, faultlessly exudes an air of arrogant and dangerously sinister authority as the outspoken and controversial Rev. Gustav Briegleb, who makes it his mission to bring down the corrupt forces of power in the city and, in so doing, uses Christine’s case of police negligence for his own purposes. In fact, his character is akin to a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ as he supposedly fights her corner, but his true intentions are evident for all to see. Another truly marvellous performance comes from the sensational Amy Ryan as incarcerated hooker Carol Dexter. Ryann is fast-becoming one of the top female talents on the Hollywood circuit as each gruelling character performance all-consumes her and makes for an ever-thrilling treat to watch. In addition, praise is due for Jason Butler Harner as deranged child serial killer Gordon Northcott. Butler Harner is bound to have future casting agents knocking on his door to tempt him with a selection of psychologically disturbing numbers after his unsettling portrayal.
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Changeling is a passionate piece of filmmaking and one that is worthy of viewing for the story it is based on and the fantastic performances that make it. Eastwood not only puts his hand to another solid ‘human struggle’ tale, but is also credited with producing a rather moving, melancholy music score. Are there no ends to this cinematic great’s talents?
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By Lisa Keddie
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Synopsis
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Clint Eastwood directs Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich in a provocative thriller based on actual events: Changeling. In the film, Christine Collins’ (Jolie) prayers are met when her kidnapped son is returned. But amidst the frenzy of the photo-op reunion, she realizes this child is not hers. Facing corrupt police and a skeptical public, she desperately hunts for answers, only to be confronted by a truth that will change her forever.
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Los Angeles, 1928: On a Saturday morning in a working-class suburb, Christine said goodbye to her son, Walter, and left for work. When she came home, she discovered he had vanished. A fruitless search ensues, and months later, a boy claiming to be the nine-year-old is returned. Dazed by the swirl of cops, reporters and her conflicted emotions, Christine allows him to stay overnight. But in her heart, she knows he is not Walter.
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As she pushes authorities to keep looking, she learns that in Prohibition-era L.A., women don’t challenge the system and live to tell their story. Slandered as delusional and unfit, Christine finds an ally in activist Reverend Briegleb (Malkovich), who helps her fight the city to look for her missing boy. Based on the actual incident that rocked California’s legal system, Changeling tells the shocking tale of a mother’s quest to find her son, and those who won’t stop until they silence her.
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Film Facts
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Official UK site: http://www.changelingmovie.co.uk/
UK release date: 26th November 2008
Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Cast: Angelina Jolie (’Christine Collins’), John Malkovich (’Rev. Gustav Briegleb’), Jeffrey Donovan (’Capt. J.J. Jones’), Amy Ryan (’Carol Dexter’), Jason Butler Harner (’Gordon Northcott’)
UK Distributor: Universal Pictures International UK
Certificate: 15
Run-time: 141 mins
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Video on Real.com
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Trailer:
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FOUR CLIPS:
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THREE EXTRA CLIPS:
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Insight:
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Making of:
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Angelina Jolie at London press conference:
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