Changeling (2008)

* * * This review contains spoilers * * *

A customer from North Shields , 28/11/2008

The fact that the film is about 90% true is definately worth a watch as long as it has interesting content and plot and this certainly does. What makes this interesting is that the story is so unbelievable and so extraordinary but when you remind yourself that this really happened it is somewhat disturbing.

Jolie is tipped to at least be an oscar nominee and may possibly win as she moves away from her usual crash bang wollop flicks and it's nice to see that she is showing her true potential as a mature woman who can truly act and be a very genuine and vulnerable character.

A couple of things that make this film great, the plot is primarily based around the loss of someone you love and coping with the loss but what's more disturbing is that the people who are supposed to protect us can abuse the power they are given and potentially destroy us. This just exploits the possibility and even the reality that this has always gone on and still does, but it's nice that this film shows one point where the police are exploited and fall.

Secondly, a lot of attention has been put on Jolie but the reason this film does so well is because of the support around her that she gets. Malkovich is tremendous and brings out the bravery and courage in Christine Collins that made her fight the system. The surprising scenes with the child murders came at a great shock and sped up the film at moments where it was slowing down.

Only bad thing about it was the sudden appearance of Michael Kelly's character catching a canadian boy on a farm, although this plot point is eventually revealed it was stretched a bit and added to an already very long and tough film to watch....and the 'F you and the horse you rode on' line was atrociously delivered.

Apart from those small blemishes, Changeling was superb and I just could not take my eyes off it. Strong performances and an even stronger story.

Read all reviews

A customer from Newport , 30/11/2008

This film is one of the best of 2008, Mrs Jolie has one of here best performances of her career, she should win a oscar for this, supporting roles where superb, and the story for being true is brillantly told, still cannot believe this film is true. Go watch this film.

Read all reviews

nosdog from St.Ouen [Highly rated reviewer] , 30/11/2008

As it's been a wet, miserable day, I thought I'd treat myself to the cinema - and what a treat, Clint Eastwood's Changeling. I idolised Clint when I was a teenager, but granted his success as an actor was largely down to presence rather than a surfeit of acting ability. There is , however, no disputing his credentials as a director of some calibre.

The Changeling is based on a true story and concerns a mother searching for her missing son, who is duly returned to her by the Los Angeles police, ever aware of the favourable publicity it will garner their unpopular department. Unfortunately, it isn't her son. Rather than admit their mistake, the police compound this error by slandering, persecuting and eventually incarcerating the mother. A tale of abduction, serial murder, and official corruption ensues.

Beautifully shot and set in the Los Angeles of 1920/30s, it reminded me of L.A. Confidential. My only criticism is it's a tad over long and Angelina Jolie (looking painfully thin) as the mother has oscar nominee written all over it.

Read all reviews

nosdog from St.Ouen [Highly rated reviewer] , 30/11/2008

As it's been a wet, miserable day, I thought I'd treat myself to the cinema - and what a treat, Clint Eastwood's Changeling. I idolised Clint when I was a teenager, but granted his success as an actor was largely down to presence rather than a surfeit of acting ability. There is , however, no disputing his credentials as a director of some calibre.

The Changeling is based on a true story and concerns a mother searching for her missing son, who is duly returned to her by the Los Angeles police, ever aware of the favourable publicity it will garner their unpopular department. Unfortunately, it isn't her son. Rather than admit their mistake, the police compound this error by slandering, persecuting and eventually incarcerating the mother. A tale of abduction, serial murder, and official corruption ensues.

Beautifully shot and set in the Los Angeles of 1920/30s, it reminded me of L.A. Confidential. My only criticism is it's a tad over long and Angelina Jolie (looking painfully thin) as the mother has oscar nominee written all over it.

Read all highest rated reviews