Directed by:
Clint EastwoodScreenplay:
J. Michael StraczynskiCinematography:
Tom SternComposer:
Clint EastwoodCast:
Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Michael Kelly, Colm Feore, Jason Butler Harner, Amy Ryan, Geoff Pierson, Denis O'Hare, Frank Wood (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Inspired by actual events that occurred in 1920s-era Los Angeles, Clint Eastwood's The Changeling tells the story of a woman driven to confront a corrupted LAPD after her abducted son is retrieved and she begins to suspect that the boy returned to her is not the same boy she gave birth to. The year was 1928, and the setting a working-class suburb of Los Angeles. As Christine (Angelina Jolie) said goodbye to her son, Walter, and departed for work, she never anticipated that this was the day her life would be forever changed. Upon returning home, Christine was distressed to discover that Walter was nowhere to be found. Over the course of the following months, the desperate mother would launch a search that would ultimately prove fruitless. Yet just when it seemed that all hope was lost, a nine-year-old boy claiming to be Christine's son seemed to appear out of thin air. Overcome with emotions and uncertain how to face the authorities or the press, Christine invites the child to stay in her home despite knowing without a doubt that he is not her son. As much as Christine would like to accept the fact that her son has been returned to her, she cannot accept the injustice being pushed upon her and continues to challenge the Prohibition-era Los Angeles police force at every turn. As a result, Christine is slandered by the powers that be, and painted as an unfit mother. In this town, a woman who challenges the system is putting her life on the line, and as the situation grows desperate, the only person willing to aid her in her search is benevolent local activist Reverend Briegleb (John Malkovich). (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Videos (2)
Reviews (12)
Clint truly has the golden touch. A brilliant drama that, even with its length, is over before you know it. Angelina acts like her life depended on it, and I think that together with Fox from Wanted, it's the best role of her entire career. Paradoxically, some of the strongest scenes are the ones without her. The events on the farm, both the digging scene and the memories of the other boy, were incredibly chilling.
()
An unmissable experience. A packed movie theater (what a miracle, everybody was silent, no rustling, unbelievable...), two girls accompanying me and a movie where Clint masterfully changes genres perhaps more stylishly, more accurately and faster than he could shoot his Colt as a young man. And it doesn’t stoop to emotional blackmail, despite the subject matter crying out for it. This is the sort of movie where you need to take an oxygen canister to. Just in case it knocks the breath out of you. And that could easily happen. But what I would change is my very vague awareness of the story. On the other hand, if I had gone to see it in complete ignorance, I don’t think even the oxygen would have saved me.
()
Eastwood and the most firmly held formula. A story that could be retold in three sentences stretches over two hours, but with a fascinating talent it forces the viewer to immensely enjoy that time. Every emotion feels genuine, Angelina overcomes her acting limits and the period atmosphere attacks all of my senses. If the whole film wasn't infused with a very credible, unpleasant, and unrelenting hint of inhumanity, it could have been even better.
()
Clint Eastwood with fragile piano music is the Danielle Steel of serious topics. But for topics as serious as those addressed in Changeling, and especially for tying them together in some meaningful way, a big heart alone is not enough.
()
The last part of the film is unnecessarily pompous, here it would apply the famous saying that less is sometimes more.Otherwise, it is a gripping, minimalist and heart-wrenching story, where the otherwise mannequin-like and wannabe cool tough chick Angelina Jolie delivers the best and most heartfelt performance of her career. Clint Eastwood amazes once again with his perfectly thought-out old-school direction, and the production design and cinematography are superb elements in this perfectly harmonious masterpiece. Without a doubt, one of the best films of the year, and perhaps the best in terms of direction.
()
Ads