‘Changeling’ challenges viewers as it tells a controversial true story
Whether or not it can hold on for the entire 141-minute duration is questionable, but what is beyond any doubt is the rage of emotions that it builds for those who stick with it. You’ll feel sad, you’ll feel angry, maybe even go so far as to wish death upon some of the characters. But it’s creating such moods that makes Clint Eastwood the filmmaking icon that he is, and in the tradition of ‘Mystic River’ (one of my all-time favorite films), ‘Changeling’ makes its audience care a lot about what is going to happen; maybe more than the characters.
Set in Los Angeles, ‘Changeling’ follows the fact-based story of Christine Collins, whose son Walter disappeared in 1928. Five months later, when Collins finds out about a boy in Illinois who claims to be her son, she rushes to bring him home with the entire LAPD ready to capture a much needed happy ending to their case. But as soon as she takes a good look at the boy, Christine is not convinced (she’s actually very certain) that this is Walter. Aware of what this mishap could do for the reputation of his department, Captain J.J. Jones (Jeffrey Donovan) desperately tries to insist that Christine must be mistaken, and with the press looking on, she reluctantly takes the boy home with her.
As time goes on, Christine becomes more and more sure (as do we) that this boy is not who he claims to be, and by creating a personal alliance with a preacher (John Malkovich), she must attempt to prove the corruption from which she has suffered at the hands of the local police department; which they will do anything to hide… even if it means sending a lonely mother away for a psychiatric observation.
While I clearly watch anything placed before me, it’s the most controversial films that remind me of why I love movies so much in the first place, and ‘Changeling’ is easily a film that challenges a lot of feelings in its viewers. It’s one thing to say that police officers in Los Angeles are generally corrupt, but this film, for lack of a better word, simply ridicules them into looking like a bunch of underhanded crooks who just happen to be carrying guns and badges.
They think the whole world should answer to them just because they have the power, and in a period where the innocence of women was disregarded entirely by the law, any cop had the right to just say “that doesn’t concern me,” and walk away. A missing child is one thing, but as we meet a few other characters who’ve been wronged by the dirty coercion, including a mental patient played by Amy Ryan (“people don’t listen to us because we’re insane”), we become hooked right into the true power that lies underneath the basics of the film. Especially when another detective (Michael Kelly) mentions a deranged psychopath (Jason Butler Harner) in another “missing boy” story that just might lead Christine to the answers she’s been looking for.
All the drama and power that Eastwood brings to the table becomes accentuated even more so by the performances he has to work with. Malkovich certainly turns a few heads as he jumps back into the spotlight after some time away. Along with Amy Ryan, who was recently nominated for her role in ‘Gone Baby Gone.’ But the true screen saving portrayal of ‘Changeling’ belongs to Angelina Jolie. Having the summer memory of her shooting sideways with a bunch of tattoos (Wanted) certainly made it difficult to see her face jump right into a whole new atmosphere, but she approaches this role with all the best intentions in the world, and the result is nothing short of Oscar-worthy. She’s an unfortunate victim, broken-hearted by her missing son, and through all of this tear-jerking emotion, she comes out on top as a heroine who stood for much more than she bargained for; “I just want my son home.”
There are some negative voids which are present from the get go (as with other films like it), but Clint Eastwood really uses his vast awareness in filmmaking to lift this movie above all the holes that would’ve tripped up any other director. And while anyone can appreciate its strong theme, I should be fair and mention that ‘Changeling’ is not a film for everyone. It is enduring, not just for its power, but for its pace; which does slow down a few times, even for those who are enjoying it. If you felt that ‘Million Dollar Baby’ dragged miserably to its final shot, then I’m pretty sure this won’t be an easier pill to swallow. But for the viewers who prefer to look deeper than just simple entertainment, my advice is for you to prepare for a personal connection (or two) as you ride through a storm of your own emotions. And don’t feel weak about getting choked up in the process… because I certainly did.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 31 2008. Filed under Reviews.
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