MOVIE REVIEW -, Changeling

Clint Eastwood is making the best movies of his life over the past 15 years or so, and Changeling is one of them. Clint does not star in Changeling, that would be Angelina Jolie, and finally..we get to see her do some acting!

Changeling is the true story of Christine Collins (Jolie) a 25 year old single mother in 1928 Los Angeles. Collins is a strong, successful woman way ahead of her time. She lives a modest life with her 9 year- old son Walter. She works for the phone company as an operator, and does right by her boy, who is the light of her life. One day Walter turns up missing, and after months of searching the Los Angeles PD returns a boy to her, and claims it is Walter. But it is not. She challenges, and embarrasses the corrupt LAPD, and is tossed into an insane asylum to be rid of her by the police. There are twists and turns, and sub plots a plenty, and this one movie actually turns into two movies. But it doesn't matter, in fact it makes it better. This movie is fantastic!

The legendary corruption of the LAPD that dogged them until the early 1960's is front and center in Changeling. It helps to have a bit of that history to completely understand Changeling, but they do a great job bringing you up to speed. This movie moves along at a great pace, and the story although complicated, is easy to follow and comprehend. Great directing by Eastwood, wonderfully photographed, excellent score penned by Eastwood as well. Changeling takes you back to the 1920's and immerses you whole, you come out of the theater expecting to see Model -T's in the parking lot.

Angelina Jolie is back. It's a shame that she wastes a lot of her time on those silly action movies where she barely speaks in tough-chick terrible fake accents. We forget she won an Oscar a few years back in Girl, Interrupted, where she was outstanding. Changeling is a command performance of the first order in a big role. She is great, and owns Changeling as the strong, yet wounded Christine Collins. Eastwood successfully disassociates her from those terrible flicks, and puts her in a whole new light. She brings every emotion to a complex character and you ride each one with her. It is easily the best performance of her career.

Changeling has many fantastic supporting performances as well. Add this all up and Changeling is one of the years best movies so far. As of this writing it may be the years best. Changeling, it's been out for a week or two, but don't miss it. Absolutely outstanding!