Movie-Changling

Changeling was an Oscar nominated movie, with Angelina Jolie nominated for best actress. She did not win.

Changeling (2008) was just an excellent film. About a single mom in 1920's Los Angeles, whose young son disappears. She almost loses hope, but after several weeks the police say they have found him with a drifter in the deep south. He is being sent home. But, who the police claim is her son, is not. And as she protests, the police, with the good publicity that comes from being heroes, grow upset with her.

Based on true events, much of the documentation is verified, the movie raises huge questions about the power of the state over individuals. When Christine Collins, played by Jolie, offers proof that it is not her son (Y'know, little things, like he is 3 inches shorter than when he disappeared, or that he is now circumcised) the police grow desperate to shut her up, and invoke a law that allows them to place her in the mental ward.

Again...this is true stuff! Christine does have allies, including a prominent minister (John Malkovich) who has pledged to expose and heal the corruption in the LA Police Dept. (yeah, I know, we are still waiting for that to happen 90 years later). And her eventual win over the police still feels sad, because she never finds her son.

There are terrifying moments of this film, including a serial killer that plays a huge role. And the feel of the era is perfect. Director Clint Eastwood sets the mood with fantastic skill. And all the cast is great, including the minister played by Malkovich, and the corrupt police brass,and Amy Adams as one of Christine's mental ward occupents.

However, I cannot say Jolie was great. The film carried her, she did not carry the film. I could imagine many actresses playing this role, as well, or better. And to me, someone who wins best actress should give a performance where you cannot imagine anyone else doing it so well, or even trying. I am not saying she was bad...she was fine, but certainly not "best."

Still, the film was fantastic. Eastwood makes very good movies, and this is some more of his excellent work.