Rating of
3/4
Clint Eastwoods Direction Masterpiece
mdtinney - wrote on 07/30/09
Angelina Jolie makes a true return to form and gives the performance of her career as Christine Collins, a mother whose case made national attention in the late 1920s: her son kidnapped, he is found months later, but upon seeing the child, Christine realizes that he is not her son. The case smashed apart the Los Angeles Police Department and revealed much of the corruption and greed prevalent. A heartbreaking drama, Clint Eastwood has given us a powerful film, one that is sadly underrated and has not achieved a bigger audience despite the fact that it was advertised fairly well. Those who have not gotten a chance to see this film, I urge them all to see it. The experience is more than just simply rewarding.Filled with beautiful performances—from Angelina Jolie as the tortured mother, John Malkovich as the loving reverend who stays at her side and relates her story to the city when no one listens; Malkovich serves as the film's moral center—intent on revealing all that is wrong with the group whose original design was to protect and help the citizens of such a dangerous city, his performance is imbued with just the right amount of drive and passion necessary. Jeffrey Donavan is wonderful in his role as the corrupt police captain and Colm Feore does well as the Chief of Police.Other standouts include Gattlin Griffith as Christine's missing son (doing so much with so little screen time), Devon Conti as the "imposter child" and especially Amy Ryan as Carol Dexter, the hooker with the heart of gold who aids Christine and gives her hope when she is rendered in need of psychological help when she challenges the police department and incarcerated in a mental institution. Jason Butler Harner is fantastic as child murderer Gordon Northcott.Bleak, depressing, at times graphic and quite disturbing, Eastwood's film does not remain hopeless forever. Through a mother's devotion and love, we see that in Collins's tortured eyes, there is a glimmer of hope, and it is Jolie's powerhouse performance that allows us to feel for her and cry for her as she goes through every mother's nightmare (albeit with a more sickening twist)—Malkovich may be the messenger of hope, but it is Amy Ryan who yells the film's message. Her character is at once sad yet determined, and Ryan (her colorful dialogue aside) conveys more with her eyes and face than a lesser actress could have managed.Resounding and ultimately powerful, Changeling (2008) is a must-see. It is a testament to Eastwood's skills as a director that not once does this film slide toward the sappy, melodramatic or preachy route, and if it had, it certainly would have lessened the impact and would have ruined the final product, which has been pulled off beautifully.
