Changeling Review

Posted by Chad Webb on 10.24.2008

At 78 years of age, how does Clint Eastwood’s newest directorial effort stack up?

Angelina Jolie: Christine Collins
John Malkovich: Rev. Gustav Briegleb
Jeffrey Donovan: Cpt. J.J. Jones
Michael Kelly: Det. Lester Ybarra
Colm Feore: Chief James E. Davis
Jason Butler Harner: Gordon Northcutt
Amy Ryan: Carol Dexter
Eddie Alderson: Sanford Clark
Geoffrey Pierson: S.S. Hahn
Directed By: Clint Eastwood
Written By: J. Michael Straczynski
Release Date: October 24, 2008
Running Time: 141 minutes







Rated R for some violent and disturbing content, and language.

Clint Eastwood has turned into one of those filmmakers whose efforts almost instantly receive Oscar buzz before any clip is even shown to anyone. Just the cast and the plot are sufficient enough for someone to start the hype. It is exceedingly difficult to predict what type of story and style Eastwood will bestow, but rest assured even his most flawed work is packed with passion. His 28th film, Changeling will prove to be another riveting piece of brilliance in a diverse oeuvre that has intrigued the moviegoing world for quite some time.

The year is 1928, and the place is Los Angeles, where single mother Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) works as supervisor at a phone operations center. She drops her son off at school, and continues with her day. One weekend in March, a plan for a day at the movies is cancelled when her job requests that she come in. Young Walter Collins is left home alone with neighbors periodically checking in. Christine returns later to discover that Walter has disappeared. She searches herself, but calls the police for aid. They inform her that they will not look for any missing child for at least 24 hours. That time elapses, and a nationwide manhunt follows. 5 months later, the LAPD finds Walter and reunites him with Christine. The expression on this shocked mother’s face in instantaneous. This boy is not her Walter. Her questioning of this boy's identity unveils a myriad of corruption, lies, and greed in the city of Angels.

One little facet I observed, that I am certain others will miss is the text at the very beginning displaying “A True Story.” It did not say “Based on a True Story” or the worse “Inspired by a True Story.” It stated that this IS a true story, and while I have always attested that movies are not meat to be documentaries, the purpose of the cast and crew was accuracy above all else. Since this is stranger-than-fiction, I thought this detail important. While briefly the melodrama overwhelms the proceedings, Changeling is saturated with tension, three-dimensional characters, and masterful pacing. The editing and timing is the key to the films luster. Every moment is placed and delivered with such a cautious, but swift construction.

No matter how many babies she adopts or gives birth to, and no matter how many times a day she and Brad are photographed, the role of Christine Collins cements that Angelina Jolie’s fame and popularity are enormous due to her talent. In Wanted, Ms. Jolie showed that she still knows how to have fun, but the actress has been turning in some truly amazing performances during the past few years with the likes of A Mighty Heart, Beowulf, and The Good Shepherd. This is another glorious example of her limitless abilities. Channeling the superb female turns of the 1930’s, Jolie is literally stunning as a woman whose fortitude and defenselessness can be exposed simultaneously. Jolie transcends a mere one-dimensional centerpiece because Christine is a mother. Despite roller skating around the phone company addressing issues, Walter was her life, and that is a perspective we all need to connect with to understand Jolie’s portrayal. How could she not devote her existence to finding the truth?

Gustav Briegleb is a radio minister, played by John Malkovich, who has made it is his goal to expose police corruption to the citizens. He takes an interest in Christine Collins and challenges the authorities when the situation escalates. Few actors are as resolute and firm as John Malkovich. It is so pleasing to see him showcasing his skills in films that accentuate them properly. Malkovich unleashes his lines with such veracity and with explosive energy that viewers can’t help but understand how any enemy of his would drop to their knees.

The amount of excellently genuine supporting roles is exactly what Jolie and Eastwood needed to convey that Changeling is more than just a mediocre thriller with a magnificent lead. Burn Notice’s Jeffrey Donovan, a man who has not advanced successfully from television, has finally surpassed that stage of his career. As Captain J.J. Jones, he personifies the seedy and dishonest image of a police officer who is a professional at manipulation. His lines will evoke the loudest reactions from the audience. He instructs Christine to take the returned child on a “trial basis” and further enlightens her that his department has the finest child identification experts to support them. Amy Ryan has a short, but sweet part as prostitute Carol Dexter in the mental hospital, Colm Feore (24) is terrific as Chief James E. Davis, and Michael Kelly (Generation Kill) is fantastic as Detective Lester Ybarra.

There are two roles in Changeling that deserve to praised, but are to difficult to fully do so because it involves slight spoilers. I will tread lightly. Jason Butler Harner is spectacular as Gordon Northcutt, and soap opera kid Eddie Alderson is outstanding as Sandford Clark, the boy who lives with him. Fleshing out these two characters must have been a daunting task, but these newcomers offer more than anyone could have hoped for. My hat is off to whoever helped hone their acting.

Changeling is gracefully laced with hints of the corruption and mood from Chinatown, but is primarily comparable to Orson Welles' Touch of Evil. That was an ambitious picture met with a mixed reception, but over time, became a classic. That could very well be the destiny of Eastwood’s latest period epic, but only time will tell. Dirty Harry collects his usual team for the appropriate effect. Tom Stern’s cinematography is beautiful and adequately morose depending on the scene. He captures the best angle, light, and shadows every single frame. Deborah Hopper’s costume design is elegant, the set decoration of Gary Fettis is faithful, the art direction of Patrick M. Sullivan Jr. is lovely, and the production design of James Murakami is striking. Do not forget the exceptional score from Eastwood himself either, which swells at all the essential moments, but does not drown viewers with sentiment.

One handicap that Changeling quickly countered was the nature of the premise. This records a tale of a missing child, which is an unfortunate circumstance that occurs daily in real life, and has been dramatized in film multiple times as well. Changeling reveals how simply reading the paper can make a huge difference. Paying attention to the news of the world and the town that surrounds you is vital, and this refined, charming, and serpentine screenplay from cartoon writer J. Michael Straczynski possesses an urgency of keeping a close eye on the area in which you live.

Changeling debuted at Cannes with positive reviews, and has transitioned to the New York Film Festival I attended, to less than stellar reviews. What are the NYC critics missing? Eastwood’s intentions for one. At its heart, Changeling is a harrowing chronicle of events that will shake you to the core and open your eyes. It is a story of motherly courage, the blurred lines between good and evil, and strength to finish a fight you did not start regardless of the consequences. However, this is also a marvelous throwback and supplementary section into the book of classic L.A. crime dramas. Academy voters should take notice.

The 411: It is easy to be confused by the title, but this is an original script taken from actual events. It is not a remake of The Changeling from 1980, nor is it based on any film, show, or episode title with the word “Changeling” included. This Changeling from Director Clint Eastwood marks the filmmaker at the height of his powers as he grows older. This is a brilliant period epic; melodrama, thriller, and I could go on. The suspense is fabulous, the performances are superlative, and all the work from the crew is tremendous. While a couple minor things could have been changed, this film casts a spell on you because at 140 minutes, it flies by because your eyes are glued to the screen. Do not let the “made for awards” moniker bother you. It is a wonderful film, and you should see it.

Final Score:  9.0   [  Amazing ]