Changeling (2008)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Clint Eastwood

Writer (WGA):

J. Michael Straczynski (written by)

Release Date:

31 October 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

To find her son, she did what no one else dared.

Plot:

A grief-stricken mother takes on the LAPD to her own detriment when it stubbornly tries to pass off an obvious impostor as her missing child, while also refusing to give up hope that she will find him one day.

Plot Keywords:

Police | Corruption | Ranch | Missing Child | Search

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 30 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Fri. Nov. 13	3:50 AM	HBO
Wed. Nov. 18	12:15 AM	HBO

Cast

Angelina Jolie	...	Christine Collins
Gattlin Griffith	...	Walter Collins
Michelle Gunn	...	Sandy
Jan Devereaux	...	Operator
Erica Grant	...	Operator
Antonia Bennett	...	Operator
Kerri Randles	...	Operator
Frank Wood	...	Ben Harris
Morgan Eastwood	...	Girl on Tricycle
Madison Hodges	...	Neighborhood Girl
John Malkovich	...	Rev. Gustav Briegleb
Colm Feore	...	Chief James E. Davis
Devon Conti	...	Arthur Hutchins
Ric Sarabia	...	Man at Diner
J.P. Bumstead	...	Cook

MPAA:

Rated R for some violent and disturbing content, and language.

Runtime:

141 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Portuguese | English

Colour:

Black and White (opening and end sequence) | Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #44429) | UK:15 | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Ireland:16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Australia:MA | Finland:K-15 | Denmark:15 | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Sweden:15 | Japan:PG-12 | South Korea:18 | Czech Republic:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | New Zealand:R16 | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | Brazil:16 | Philippines:R-18 (MTRCB) | Norway:15 | Germany:12 (f) | Hong Kong:IIB | Taiwan:PG-12 | Argentina:13 | Peru:14 | Austria:14 | France:U (with warning) | Mexico:B | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Daniel Webster Elementary School - 2101 E. Washington Boulevard, Pasadena, California, USA

Company:

Imagine Entertainment

Trivia:

Clint Eastwood agreed to direct the same afternoon he read the script.

Goofs:

Continuity: First when Christine is thrown in her cell, the hatch behind the barred window is shut with force. Later, when we see Christine watching Carol being brought back to her cell, we can see that the cell doors don't have hatches at all.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Christine Collins: Walter, honey. Time to wake up.
Walter Collins: Just ten more minutes...
Christine Collins: Sorry, sport. You can sleep in tomorrow, that's what Saturdays are for.

Movie Connections:

References The Mysterious Airman (1928)

Best picture?

Summary says it all, this is the most challenging film so far of 2008. Deep and daring, Clint exposes corruption within LAPD in this period piece. Brilliantly executed and finally a performance I appreciate from Angelina. Also stellar performances by John Malkovich, as well as Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Donovan, Michael Kelly, and others. This film drives it home which any parent can appreciate and will remember for some time.

This is not your typical drama, but also a suspense filled thriller that had people in the theater crying, clapping, and closing their eyes.

Still need to see The Wrestler, and The road, but as of October 2008, CHANGELING best picture, and very possible, Best Actress Angelina Jolie.