Changeling (2008)

Reel rating: 5/5

Reel commentary: ... Acting alone is top notch starting with a visually and verbally influential Malkovich whose very presence forms some of the most commanding scenes in the film... full review

By Lloyd Bayer

The Los Angeles Police Department has come a long way since arriving at its current acclaim of one of the best law enforcing units in the US. Brainchild of the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) now used in all major crime fighting units, the LAPD’s tainted history in police corruption and brutality is brilliantly depicted here with shocking consequences. While L. A. Confidential and Mulholland Falls were also films with a similar theme depicting police corruption of a bygone era, this film exceptionally stands out for a varied number of reasons. 

Angelina Jolie as Christine Collins All images copyright © 2008 Universal Pictures

At the fore yet behind the lens is an actor turned director who needs no formal introduction. With a filmography list spanning more than five decades including winning four Oscars as a director, Hollywood veteran Clint Eastwood masterfully tells a story that is not only based on actual events, but tells it in a way you get more than what you expect; And that is, a film made with such potent ingredients, the outcome is a rare achievement in film making these days. 

Meticulously set against the late 1920s backdrop, this grueling narrative has Angelina Jolie playing a single mother insistently pursuing the truth behind her son’s abduction. As Christine Collins, she is met with brutal opposition from the very people sworn to serve and protect. In order to save face from public embarrassment and outcry, Captain J.J Jones (Jeffery Donavan) of the LAPD partially resolves the situation by finding an imposter that closely resembles the abducted boy. But a mother knows best, and Collins immediately points out this discrepancy, embarking on a single-handed confrontation with top yet corrupt LAPD officials. When Collins prepares to tell her story to the press, she is packed of to a mental institution and is branded a delusional mother dangerously spiraling out of reality. Locked up and treated like a psychopath, her only aide emerges in the form of Reverend Gustav Briegleb (John Malkovich), a high profile public figure hell bent on taking down corrupt police officers. Their victory however is short lived when she learns that her son amongst several other boys his age may have been the victim of a deranged serial killer, resulting in a landmark case against the LAPD.

Precise scripting, stellar casting that makes for tight acting, flawless cinematography integrating factual geographical locations, costumes and props, and a nostalgic score also composed by Eastwood are the ingredients I mentioned earlier. Acting alone is top notch starting with a visually and verbally influential Malkovich whose very presence forms some of the most commanding scenes in the film. The same goes for Geoffrey Pierson as Collins’ attorney in a sensational court room drama scene. Jason Butler Harner as the serial killer and Donavan as Captain Jones are superb as the two villains in roles sure to invoke utter loathing. Saving the best for the last is Jolie in the most significant role of her career powerfully portraying a mother’s pain. A far cry from some of the mindless action movies she occasionally stars in, Jolie is to this film what Julia Roberts is to Erin Brockovich, because at the core, this is one woman’s true struggle against a male dominated world. Nominated for three Academy Awards including “Best Actress”, this film may well be the fuel for Jolie’s propulsion into Tinseltown’s upper stratosphere from a supporting actress to a leading lady. Provided she stays the course.

Lloyd Bayer



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.

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

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.

Anonymous says: Dec 24. 2008 13:53 Yes, it is a great solo by Gabriel Johnson. I was wondering who played so wonderfully. Thanks.

julia says: Jan 22. 2009 21:32 the Changeling's music is great!! I loved it!!

Erik says: Mar 17. 2009 19:09 Great.... Great Music! Nice trumpet over there Gabriel...

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