Christine Collins (Jolie) at the point of no return
Changeling (2008)
Dir. Clint Eastwood
Starring: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich
Grade: A-
Clint Eastwood’s “Changeling” is an often excruciating movie-going experience. The film, based on a true story, takes on the corrupt LAPD of the 1930s (and beyond) while detailing the struggles faced by Christine Collins (a wonderful Jolie) in the search for her kidnapped son. The “changeling” is the boy police produce to Collins (and most importantly, the media) as her son. In the face of insurmountable evidence, police insist that the mistake is Collins’ and not theirs. The film, beautifully shot by Tom Stern, has the feel and structure of the 1930s and 1940s women pictures. Collins is subjected to many injustices in an era where a thinking and probing woman could be seen as mad, but she fights to the very end, never giving up hope.
The frustration one experiences as Collins comes up against obstacle after obstacle only to be further victimized is unrelenting. The underlying tragedy framing the story (revealed about half way through the film) makes an already depressing turn of events much more shocking. But all the pieces fit together: from the stylistic characterizations offered by the actors, to the subtle but outstanding costuming and set designs (ranging from a mental institution, to a prison, to the hectic floor of a telephone center). Even the unintrusive score (by Eastwood, naturally) moves without bludgeoning the audience with bombastic crescendos.
Jolie at various points channels Olivia de Havilland (in “The Snake Pit”), Claudette Colbert (in “Imitation of Life”), and Joan Crawford (in“Mildred Pierce”). Hers is a tenderly crafted performance, a tribute to motherhood, courage, and dignity. There is fine supporting work byJohn Malkovich as the crusading Rev. Gustav Briegleb, and particularly by Jason Butler Harner as the frightening Gordon Northcott.
Lawyer by day, blogger by night.