Changeling

Starring: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Gattlin Griffith, Colm Feore, Amy Ryan, Michelle Gunn, Jeffrey Donovan
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Mystery
2008

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Single mother Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) is devestated when she returns home to find her son (Gattlin Griffith) has disappeared. She desperately searches for him, although the LAPD seems somewhat disinterested in finding him. However, several months later, they find her son and reunite mother and son. Christine soon realizes that the boy the LAPD brought her is not in fact, her son. This causes great friction with the LAPD, and the only ally she has is a pastor (John Malkovich) dedicated to showing the incompetence and corruption of the LAPD.

Review:

Tim: Clint Eastwood is such a fantastic director that I was incredibly surprised that I didn't like this movie throughout much of it. The story was interesting, but the movie was too drawn out, slow, boring, and not as exceptionally crafted as some of his recent movies. However, as the movie went on (and on and on), the full scope of what Eastwood accomplished became known. This movie seems like a fairly straightforward story, but Eastwood gives us a near-epic film. I was surprised at how much happened in this movie. So, yes, by the film's conclusion, I took a better view of the movie, although its strengths are not enough to overcome its many flaws.

I was also surprised that Angelina Jolie received all the acclaim and accolades she did. She received an Academy Award nomination, but I didn't think she was spectacular. She has some terrific moments, but as a whole, she was underwhelming. She gives us a good performance, but it isn't particularly memorable, and I am surprised she received that nomination. This whole film felt like it was hugely overrated by critics.

The supporting cast is fairly good. John Malkovich has some great moments, although I wish he had more screen time. I probably would have liked this movie better if he was in it more. Jeffrey Donovan is also quite good as an unlikeable police captain. There were a few other good performances as well.

Part of the reason I didn't like this movie as much as I could have is because it too often strays into the melodramatic. Yes, this is a very dramatic movie, but too often it takes itself far too seriously. As I mentioned, the movie is a bit too long. The movie would have been better if Eastwood shaved off a few minutes here or there. Now, on the other hand, there are so many effective scenes. The moments between mother and "son" are good, some of the mental asylum scenes are good, and I also liked the courtroom scenes. Part of the movie's appeal is that there are so many different pieces of this story. It unfolds on a far larger scale than I first thought. This is fairly impressive.

Changeling is a decent movie, but I still believe it was grossly overrated. There are definitely some great moments, but as a whole, Eastwood has given us much better movies.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



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