|
|||||||||||||||||||
Changeling - Review
Length: 141 min Rated: R Distributor: Universal Pictures Release Date: 2008-10-31 Starring: Angelina Jolie, Michael Kelly, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Amy Ryan, Denis O’Hare, Gattlin Griffith
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Produced by Tim Moore, Jim Whitaker
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Visit the movie's Official Site!
This is a Clint Eastwood movie, through and through. He takes us down the long, long winding, complex and gritty road of J. Michael Straczynski’s script, which follows the real life story of Christine Collins, a mother whose child is kidnapped. In order to quiet the press, the Los Angeles Police Department gives her back someone else’s kid. Collins refuses to accept the stand in boy and never gives up searching for her own son. The tenacity she shows sparks controversy and a trial that leads to reform of the LAPD. As Collins, Jolie delivers a powerhouse performance; there is no use fighting it, this woman can act. There is a moment, towards the end of the film, when the action star inside her peeks out as she slams a man up against the wall. Otherwise, she plays Collins with tender strength. She is the epitome of the mysterious damsel in distress. She cries a lot and she yells nearly as much, but Jolie plays Collins so subtly that she remains an enigma at the end of the film. Yet, even through all of the tears, we’re left with a sense of admiration for the character. I wanted more, but who doesn’t want more Angelina Jolie? The plot of the film vacillates from Gone Baby Gone to Mystic River and ends squarely in Flightplan territory. The parent of a kidnapped child has been done. Jolie’s part has been played by Amy Ryan, Sean Penn and Jodie Foster. Yes, none of these actors got locked up in the psyche ward for pissing off the LAPD or had a screaming fight with a serial killer, but they do play crazed parents to the hilt. We find out what happened to Jolie’s lost child about two hours in, but Changeling keeps going, pushing the protective parent thing to the hilt. I would have felt just fine to read the conviction facts in an epilogue at the two hour mark. The rest of the movie could have stood alone as a revenge fantasy. Some parts feel earned, but others feel gratuitous. Does any movie really need a a gruesomely graphic hanging scene? Angelina Jolie is what makes Changeling worth watching. She brings out something new in Eastwood’s hardened filmmaking style. It’s just that it goes too far. Christine Collins deserves everything that she gets in the end: a fair trial, public affirmation, and the conviction of her son’s kidnapper. She does not deserve those last 25 minutes. Her memory would have been better honored with the quiet dignity 2 hours of film could have provided.
Image Gallery for Changeling
     Comment on “Changeling”Note: This website is not meant for use by minors. The views expressed in the comments section below are not our own. This section is intended for discussion of the topic in the post above. Disagreement is encouraged, however comments which attack, insult, or threaten the author in a personal manner won't be published. Similarly, comments that we deem to be poorly worded, or wildly off topic will also not be approved and may be mocked. For free, uncensored, unfettered, and possibly dangerous discussion visit our forum.Subscribe to topic comments Subscribe to topic comments Leave a ReplyMAIN SITE NAVIGATION
HOME l ABOUT US l l SEARCH l MOVIE NEWS l MOVIE REVIEWS l MOVIE PREVIEWS l DVD REVIEWS l DVD NEWS l SOUNDTRACKS l FEATURES DATABASE l TELEVISION l MUSIC l GAMES l CELEBRITY l TECHNOLOGY l RSS 2.0 FEEDS l MESSAGE BOARDS l LIVE CHAT l SYNDICATE US l LINKS | CB STORE | MUNCH MONSTER | GFR This site is operated by Cinema Blend LLC. For advertising inquiries, contact Gorilla Nation. CinemaBlend.com is a private, independently owned website which is intended only as entertainment. The views expressed on this website may or may not reflect those of its owner. Don't take us too seriously. Made in Webta Labs 
|
|
January 19, 2009 at 13:59
November 24, 2008 at 01:51