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 Changeling (2008)
MPAA Rating: R for some violent and disturbing content, and language.
Runtime: 140 mins.
Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Cast: Angelina Jolie; John Malkovich ... complete cast
Tagline: To find her son, she did what no one else dared.
Genre: Biography | Crime | Drama | Mystery
Memorable Quote: "The boy they brought back is not my son." ... more quotes
Release Date: Ocotber 24, 2008
DVD Release Date: February 17, 2009.
Distributor: Universal Pictures.
Official Site: www.changelingmovie.net
View the Trailer: www.apple.com/trailers/universal/changeling/
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| Reel commentary: ... Eastwood gives us an inspirational true story that depicts how a working-class single mother went against and took down high-powered corruption – not with a hammer, but with a chisel ... full review |
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By Loron Hays
Make no mistake, Clint Eastwood’s Changeling will haunt you; it’s eerie and bare-boned and not an easy film to bare witness to, but certainly worth every minute of your time. In his newest feature film, Eastwood directs Angelina Jolie (playing the part of Christine Collins) and John Malkovich (as Gustav Briegleb) in a true story about one mother’s exhaustive ordeal to discover the truth about her missing son when faced with continued arrogance and dangerous corruption at the highest levels of the L.A. police department.
Eastwood, who has matured into one of the finest directors of American film, masterfully tells another epic tale that will shock audiences with its subject matter and sudden violence, but under his guiding hands the film envelops and, finally, consumes its audience. You suffer alongside Jolie (who is incredible in this role) as she pushes authorities, namely Jeffery Donovan (who plays Captain J.J. Jones) to continue looking for her son as soon as she accepts the fact that the boy the police claim is her son and returned for a favorable press coverage is not, in fact, her son.
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Angelina Jolie as Christine Collins
All images copyright © 2008 Universal Pictures
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Changeling opens with a nod to the Universal Studios of yesteryear by using their logo originally used in the late twenties/early thirties. It is a nice touch considering the film opens in March of 1928. The first image of the film is in black and white and slowly the color soaks into the film; however, the colors remain muted throughout the film. Really, the only visual color that remains strong throughout the film is Jolie’s pale white make-up – an effect that grows as the character’s grief increases and then suddenly fades as she learns of the suspected truth of her missing son.
Know this simple fact: Changeling is relentless. Eastwood’s purposefully cold atmosphere aside, the film is a passionate portrayal of the hollowness and, in fact, prison of vengeance and the small victories that ultimately save Jolie’s character from extreme bitterness and understandable rage.
Perhaps the most shocking performance in the film is Malkovich’s as social crusader Briegleb. His performance in the film gives the audience a breather from the intensity of Jolie’s anguish and allows for a few much needed humorous moments as the two begin to work together. Malkovich’s character is much like a guardian angel of sorts and it is really a nice change to see him slip into that role.
Returning alongside Eastwood is his long-time director of photography Tom Stern (Million Dollar Baby, Flags of Our Fathers, etc) and the magic they make together in this film is equally as intense as any of their previous collaborations; these two know each other and they, in turn, know how to merge the visuals with the storytelling and the direction into Oscar worthy material.
In this current political season, with all the economic woes, the suspected corruption in big business and the rich-get-richer attitude that plagues the halls of the current White House administration, Eastwood gives us an inspirational true story that depicts how a working-class single mother went against and took down high-powered corruption – not with a hammer, but with a chisel.
Loron Hays
 Comments
Lou says:
Oct 26. 2008 22:26
I want to know more about the music. If availaable I would like to get the CD. Was that Chris Boti on the trumpet? It had to be.
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Gabriel Johnson says:
Nov 3. 2008 03:05
I was the trumpet player on the movie. My name is Gabriel Johnson. Chris is actually a good friend and mentor of mine. Thanks for listening.
Gabriel Johnson.
www.Gabrieljohnnsonmusic.com
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Anonymous says:
Nov 5. 2008 19:44
I also thought that was Chris Botti on trumpet. My hats off to Gabriel Johnson, you are great.
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Anonymous says:
Dec 24. 2008 13:53
Yes, it is a great solo by Gabriel Johnson. I was wondering who played so wonderfully. Thanks.
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julia says:
Jan 22. 2009 21:32
the Changeling's music is great!!
I loved it!!
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Erik says:
Mar 17. 2009 19:09
Great.... Great Music! Nice trumpet over there Gabriel...
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Screen Formats: 2.40:1 Widescreen Anamorphic.
Subtitles: English; French; Spanish
Language and Sound: English: DTS 5.1 HD; French 5.1 track.
Other Features: Color; interactive menus; scene access; making-of featurette; cast and crew interviews; cast and crew information.
Supplements:
- Partners in Crime: Clint Eastwood and Angelina Jolie (13:32)
- The Common Thread: Angelina Jolie Becomes Christine Collins (5:00)
Number of Discs: 1 with Keepcase Packaging
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Buy the DVD
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Buy it on Blu-ray
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| Angelina Jolie |
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Christine Collins |
| Gattlin Griffith |
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Walter Collins |
| Michelle Martin |
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Sandy (as Michelle Gunn) |
| Jan Devereaux |
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Operator #1 |
| Michael Kelly |
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Detective Lester Ybarra |
| Erica Grant |
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Operator #2 |
| Antonia Bennett |
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Operator #3 |
| Kerri Randles |
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Operator #4 |
| Frank Wood |
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Ben Harris |
| Morgan Eastwood |
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Girl on Tricycle |
| Madison Hodges |
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Neighborhood Girl |
| John Malkovich |
... |
Rev. Gustav Briegleb |
| Colm Feore |
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Chief James E. Davis |
| Devon Conti |
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Arthur Hutchins |
| J.P. Bumstead |
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Cook |
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