Review of Changeling (2008) by Alyson E — 27 Jan 2011

By Jill Lawrie for remotegoat on 06/12/08.

Clint Eastwood has had an incredible journey from his initial emergence as the side kick in 'Rawhide' and now in the twilight of his life, producing a film of this magnitude which surely must be an Oscar winner. Faithfully researched from court records by J Michael Straczynski who has put together an extremely powerful and altogether shocking catalogue of events that brings a hideous chill with the knowledge that these are true facts from a time not so very long ago!

Changeling ~ meaning "a child believed to have been exchanged by fairies for another" is the account of a young mother Christine Collins whose nine year old son Walter is abducted. She is thwarted at every turn by the corrupt LA Police Department, who after six months publicly present her with a random runaway child she is supposed to accept as Walter! Vicious attempts to silence her protestations for the continuation of the search for her son are made, including incarceration in a draconian mental asylum with their shocking treatments, but they fail to crush her spirit. Set in the 1920's attractively presented in the settings and costumes, yet so brilliantly depicting the struggle for a woman against the sexist disdain of the period.

Angelina Jolie (Christine Collins) is incredible in this grueling and challenging role, showing every emotion possible and she solely carries the film with her strength, honesty and courage that never falters. Jeffrey Donovan (Capt. J J Jones) gives an outstanding performance as the chillingly hostile and corrupt face of the LAPD, while Michael Kelly (Detective Lester Ybarra) shines as the Detective who uncovers the horrific Wineville chicken coup child murders and ultimately brings the notorious serial killer to justice.

This film is not for the fainthearted it is raw brutal and shocking with no sugared ending as the final disclaimer reminds us all ~ that these facts are true!