changeling
DIRECTED BY CLINT EASTWOOD WRITTEN BY J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI Distributor: Universal Pictures Rated R Released in the U.S. and Canada on October 24, 2008 (New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles)
By Omar P.L. Moore/The Popcorn Reel
December 8, 2008
Clint Eastwood's absorbing "Changeling" is also arresting. Based on the true story of Christine Collins, who in 1928 arrived home one day in Los Angeles to find her son Walter vanished -- kidnapped, in fact. At a time where women in America were just trying to find their political voice, up stepped Miss Collins, bravely and valiantly, against the male status quo power structure -- most notably the Los Angeles Police Department -- to fight to find her son and pursue justice. Angelina Jolie is powerful and nuanced as Christine Collins, and will be on the minds of Oscar-nominating voters next year for her strong performance. Notable work also from Jeffrey Donovan, Michael Kelly and Eddie Alderson, with John Malkovich, Amy Ryan (Oscar nominee for "Gone Baby Gone" this year) and Colm Feore. The real star of this spellbinding film however, is its director. Mr. Eastwood opts for simplicity and contrasting textures in the rich cinematography by Tom Stern to tell this infamous tale. Mr. Eastwood, now 78, gets better as he gets older, and adds his own personally composed music score to the soundtrack of "Changeling". He is also starring in the film "Gran Torino" this month, which he also directed, and is a favorite to show up on the Oscar nominees list for his acting in that film (which opens in New York and Los Angeles on December 12.) "Changeling" will also snare a bevy of Oscar nominations, and audiences should see why.
Original Popcorn Reel Film Review: "Changeling" (October 24, 2008) -- The Most-Read Popcorn Reel Film Review of 2008
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