A Mothers Angst (Changeling (DVD))

Member Name: flodombey

Product:	Changeling (DVD)
Date:	19/04/09 (121 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great casting, beautiful to watch in terms of 20s/30s style

Disadvantages: Harrowing child murder scenes

Changeling is a 2008 film directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Angelina Jolie in the lead role. It is based on the true story set in 1920's LA of the disappearance of a child. Jolie plays the child's mother, Christine Collins who is convinced when the LAPD return him that it is not in fact her child, Walter.

I was drawn to this movie for a couple of reasons. I like Jolie despite the facts some of the films she has been in (Gone in 60 Seconds, Wanted) are absolutely dreadful (in my opinion). I like to see her in straight, more serious roles and this seemed to be the perfect vehicle for that. Secondly the story intrigued me and knowing it was based on real life events had me hooked. The film arrived from Lovefilm yesterday so my Saturday night movie was sorted.

Cast

Angelina Jolie - Christine Collins
John Malkovich - Reverend Gustav Briegleb
Gattlin Griffith - Walter Collins
Michael Kelly - Detective Lester Ybarra
Colm Feore - Chief James E Davis
Jeffrey Donovan - Capt J J Jones
Devon Conti - Athur Hutchins
Jason Butler Harner - Gordon Stewart Northcott

Plot

Christine Collins (Jolie) is a single mum to her 9 year old son Walter (Griffith) and works hard at the local telephone exchange to make ends meet. One day she has to unexpectedly cover a shift and leaves Walter on his own for the duration of the shift. When she returns that evening he has simply disappeared. Christine reports the child missing to police.

Five anxious months later the LAPD Juvenile department, led by Capt JJ Jones (Donovan) contact her with the news that they have found him and wanting to court the publicity of a success in a missing child case they arrange a public reunion in front of the press. Christine immediately states that the child is not hers but is bullied into saying nothing of the kind to the waiting reporters by Jones who assures her it is her shock which is making her see things differently.

The film then follows the battle Christine has with the authorities and in particular the LAPD in trying to convince them that this is not her son and she is not insane. Her cause is supported by the Reverand Gustav Breigleb (Malkovich) who has a reputation for confronting the LAPD over what he considers their bullying and corrupt ways.

The disappearance of Walter is then linked to a disturbing mass homicide of children in a neighbouring state and there are further twists regarding what happened to the child and why the boy in her home has always claimed to be Walter.

The Good

I actually thought that Jolie turned in a star performance here and was totally believable as Christine Collins. I can see why this film was nominated for 3 Oscars and 8 BAFTAs, it is solid, well considered and the story works fantastically well.

Despite the sometimes harrowing scenes regarding the serial killer and the child murders, this is a truly gripping movie where you really do want to keep watching. You really do get behind Christine and the Reverand (played brilliantly by Malkovich), willing them to defeat the corrupt, bullying and authoritarian LAPD which at times seems wholly impossible.

The scenes where Christine is incarcerated by the LAPD are particularly impressive on the part of Jolie. The emotion she displays is incredibly intense and I think that she deserved an oscar for her portrayal of the increasingly strained Christine. Jolie also manages to maintain a serene and dignified calm during the trials which happen at the end of the film, she really does go through the whole range of feelings with this character.

Another element which I think deserves special praise is the way the movie looks and feels such an accurate portrayal of the late 20s and early 30s in LA. Everything - sets, costumes, hairstyles, make up - is perfectly and consistently recreated to great effect and I have to say Jolie looks stunning in this kind of period dress. Great attention to detail evidently went into making the film look and feel authentic and in my opinion it paid off greatly.


The Bad
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There were only two things which I had issue with in this film, one was the slightly horrific scenes depicting the child murders. Although you do not actually see anything particularly gory I found them disturbing but then I guess they were supposed to be. I think I just wasnt expecting them to be quite so vivid.

The other thing I didnt really like was the way the killer, Gordon Stewart Northcott was played by Harner. I just found his quirky mannerisms a bit too twee and textbook 'weirdo' for my liking. I know the guy must have been seriously disturbed but he was the only character I didnt particularly buy.

Overall
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A great film, based on some entirely fascinating events. Great direction, wonderful casting on the whole and a stellar performance by Jolie. I have almost forgiven her for Wanted in this role and I do think it maybe should have been her picking up best actress gongs over Kate Winslett at this years awards (although I have yet to watch Revolutionary Road or The Reader)

In my opinion this is a great watch, not light hearted in any way but interesting and with that added element of weightiness because you know these things really happened.

One of the best films I have watched so far this year.

Summary: A great watch, a great story and one that makes you think.