Changeling (2008)

Featured Audience Ratings

• paul o

  
  Its really good. Its heart churning and different. Jolie's acting helps blend Eastwood's directing to create a story that is memorable after the end.

• Jens S

  
  Eastwood is really on a winning streak in recent years. Here he tells the story of a mother who's victim of corrupt 1920s L.A. police in her search for her lost son. While the film starts out slowly, it gets more enthralling by the minute. The characters are strong and reliable:… More
  Eastwood is really on a winning streak in recent years. Here he tells the story of a mother who's victim of corrupt 1920s L.A. police in her search for her lost son. While the film starts out slowly, it gets more enthralling by the minute. The characters are strong and reliable: the bad guys are despicable and corrupt and the good guys are reliable and decent. That makes for a very powerful combination and engages the audience, torn between the feelings of anger, satisfaction and grief. The acting is accordingly brilliant, Jolie delivers one of the strongest performances of her career and Malkovich is close behind. That makes for a moving, beautifully shot movie that will probably stay with the viewer for a very long time.

• Daniel P

  
  I liked Changeling more than I didn't, but I have the same complaint about it that I did Gran Torino: Eastwood can't direct children. The person he did manage to direct, though? Angelina Jolie. She plays the kind of role you'd expect Sandra Bullock or Nicole Kidman to… More
  I liked Changeling more than I didn't, but I have the same complaint about it that I did Gran Torino: Eastwood can't direct children. The person he did manage to direct, though? Angelina Jolie. She plays the kind of role you'd expect Sandra Bullock or Nicole Kidman to play - the big-hearted, put-upon fighter/mother - and though she comes over the top a couple of times, on the whole she did a great job of driving this movie despite being cast against type. I enjoyed the supporting cast, and the look and feel of 1920s/1930s L.A., and I thought the latter half of the movie was downright spooky by times... even if it did get a bit formulaic. Not Eastwood's best - there can be only one Unforgiven - but much better than Invictus. Totally watchable, maybe even rewatchable - I've been thinking about it for a few days since I saw it, which strikes me as a good sign.

• Jan Marc M

  
  Changeling is a true account of son Walter Collins, presumed murdered; and mother Christine Collins, victim of excessive authority, circa 1928 California, USA. A brilliant fusion of mystery, drama, and thriller compounded by strong performances notably by Angelina Jolie, Changeling is… More
  Changeling is a true account of son Walter Collins, presumed murdered; and mother Christine Collins, victim of excessive authority, circa 1928 California, USA. A brilliant fusion of mystery, drama, and thriller compounded by strong performances notably by Angelina Jolie, Changeling is bound to reduce the audience into a disturbed crowd, but proud of faith, of justice, and of the steadfast human spirit. Uncompromising.

• Chris W

  
  Based on some actual events, this film is a grim yet fascinating study of the disempowerment of women and an examination of corruption within heirarchical structures. The story itself is that of the disappearance of a boy during the late 1920s. After an iffy investigation, a boy… More
  Based on some actual events, this film is a grim yet fascinating study of the disempowerment of women and an examination of corruption within heirarchical structures. The story itself is that of the disappearance of a boy during the late 1920s. After an iffy investigation, a boy matching the description of the missing is returned ot the mother. However, it's not her son, and, despite all her attempts to convince people otherwise, the mother goes through hell tring to figure out the truth and get some closure. This is a long movie, and deliberately paced, and it is a little uneven, yet I was never really bored, always finding something great to look at or think about. The film is a litle overstuffed, trying to do perhaps too much, but given the running time, it's better to have too much going on instead of not enough. In any case, this is all extremely gripping stuff. Angelina Jolie does a wonderful job as the mother, John Malkovich, actually portraying a benevolent character, is also quite good. For me though, it's Jeffrey Donovan and a bunch of the character actors in supporting roles who all show up throught who really bring the house down acting wise. There's a lot of attention to period detail here, and the film does a really good job of getting the sets, styles, and attitudes of the period down correctly. It was cool seeing the retro Universal Pictures logo at the beginning as well. Even though the films does have a few issues, I bet no one will argue that it is a goregous looking film with some truly stunning camera work. Tom Stern, who has been working with Eastwood since 2002 is really an unsung hero of the cinematography world. One little thing I liked is the filter that was used to give the film an older look, similar to what was done on O Brother Where Art Thou, only not as extreme. You should give this film a look. It's ambitious, filled with tension and dread, and filled with food for thought. It's a nicely played drama, despite trying to do so much and having a story that shifts from a mystery thriller to a serial killer yarn.

• Brad W

  
  Changeling is a phenomenal film that is one of the most deepest dramas I have ever seen in my life. In 1928 Los Angelos a mother (Angelina Jolie) left her son at home for work, when she returned he was gone. A fruitless search ensues, and months later, a boy claiming to be the… More
  Changeling is a phenomenal film that is one of the most deepest dramas I have ever seen in my life. In 1928 Los Angelos a mother (Angelina Jolie) left her son at home for work, when she returned he was gone. A fruitless search ensues, and months later, a boy claiming to be the nine-year-old is returned. Dazed by the swirl of cops, reporters and her conflicted emotions, Christine allows him to stay overnight. But, in her heart, she knows he is not Walter. As she pushes authorities to keep looking, she learns that in Prohibition-era L.A., women don't challenge the system and live to tell their story. Slandered as delusional and unfit, Christine finds an ally in activist Reverend Briegleb, who helps her fight the city to look for her missing boy. The plot of the film is so good and so beautiful i had a hard time not watching it. The cast is amazing and I can honestly say this is Angelina Jolie's best movie, and her best performance ever. This movie was touching, beautiful, and you will not want to leave until you see the incredible and mysterious ending.

• Anthony L

  
  There is an element of 'film making by numbers' with Changeling but as far as historical accuracies and projecting the emotion and frustration that Christine Collins must have felt, Mr. Eastwood has done a fine job. It's an interesting story though, so I think it would… More
  There is an element of 'film making by numbers' with Changeling but as far as historical accuracies and projecting the emotion and frustration that Christine Collins must have felt, Mr. Eastwood has done a fine job. It's an interesting story though, so I think it would have been hard to go wrong, I do however, think that a number of other directors could have made a much better film. I does seem to go on a little longer than it should but I'm glad that Mr. Eastwood didn't take the lazy option and reduce years of interesting story into seconds of written information, he keeps going and in doing so only highlights the hope that Christine Collins had even though her plight, especially now with hindsight, was ultimately hopeless. I'm not a huge Angelina Jolie fan but she doesn't do anything wrong here, as much as she doesn't really do much either. John Malkovich was good but didn't have a lot of screen time and Jeffrey Donovan and Jason Butler Harner both played their very different roles as villains convincingly. A frustrating, horrific but fascinating story, adequately told.

• Sophie B

  
  A sad and convincing story of a mother who lost her son. Performances are brilliant and the story runs well and you believe Christine and want her to get her son back. Thankfully they didn't do a "happy ending" and have her son come back. That would be a bit cheesy.

• Candy R

  
  Based on a true story, in 1920s Christine Collins is a single mum who left her son Walter at home while she went to work. He vanishes. After 5 months the police reunite her with a nine year old boy but she is adamant that he is not her son. When she challenges the police they send her… More
  Based on a true story, in 1920s Christine Collins is a single mum who left her son Walter at home while she went to work. He vanishes. After 5 months the police reunite her with a nine year old boy but she is adamant that he is not her son. When she challenges the police they send her to a mental hospital. In the meantime another boy is arrested and he reveals that he helped kill and bury 20 young boys including Walter Collins.

• Bruce B

  
  Another 5 star movie Directed by Clint Eastwood, where does he get these stories, this one is great and you will be glued to the screen as a mother tries to find her missing son. John Malovich plays his part to the Tee. If you havenb't seen this one you must. 5 Stars

• Saskia D

  
  I like Clint Eastwood's movies, but I don't get why he chose Jolie for the lead role. She did good, don't get me wrong, but she just fails to stir any emotion in me whatsoever. Somehow her acting just doesn't seem sincere. The only thing I liked about it is the… More
  I like Clint Eastwood's movies, but I don't get why he chose Jolie for the lead role. She did good, don't get me wrong, but she just fails to stir any emotion in me whatsoever. Somehow her acting just doesn't seem sincere. The only thing I liked about it is the context. How women are treated, the corruption and arrogance of the law and some men. If something doesn't agree with them, they make it go away. No matter how unethical.

• ♥Robyn

  
  wow~! directed by Clint Eastwood (gotta love him)..... a true story of Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie,love her as an actess), a single mom whose son Walter, vanishes while she is at work. A fruitless search continues for months until one day Christine receives the news she has… More
  wow~! directed by Clint Eastwood (gotta love him)..... a true story of Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie,love her as an actess), a single mom whose son Walter, vanishes while she is at work. A fruitless search continues for months until one day Christine receives the news she has been praying for her son has been found alive and is coming home. But.... when Christine arrives at the train station,she is besieged by cops and reporters and hopes to be reunited with her son,but, she finds that this boy is not Walter.the usually meek Christine starts to fight back against the cops, a virtually unheard of reaction especially by a woman of that time. The LAPD, though, have a way of dealing with those who make them look bad or threaten them in any way. For women, this is to brand them as mentally unsound and toss them into the hospital psychopath ward. This is what happens to Christine, adding one nightmare to another....... but,thanks to the intervention of Reverend Briegleb, though, she is able to fight back against the system that failed to find her son. but.....there is another twist in her sons disappearance......

• Michael S

  
  An incredible true story is turned into a rather disappointing film thanks to a muddy script and some poor pacing. Jolie is great in one of her best performances, and saves the film (along with beautiful cinematography and some truly powerful scenes) from being completely mediocre.… More
  An incredible true story is turned into a rather disappointing film thanks to a muddy script and some poor pacing. Jolie is great in one of her best performances, and saves the film (along with beautiful cinematography and some truly powerful scenes) from being completely mediocre. One of Eastwood's weakest directorial efforts.

• Jameson W

  
  Great cinematography, the entire film felt like it was really in the 1920's. Wonderful performance by Angelina Jolie. I loved every scene she was in.

• Mike S

  
  Clint Eastwood sure knows good drama. Again and again he delivers some very powerful stuff. Jolie, who has grown to become one of my favourite actresses, gives it her all and leaves no heart unaffected. Her performance has been accused of being Oscar-grubbing, but I found her acting… More
  Clint Eastwood sure knows good drama. Again and again he delivers some very powerful stuff. Jolie, who has grown to become one of my favourite actresses, gives it her all and leaves no heart unaffected. Her performance has been accused of being Oscar-grubbing, but I found her acting very convincing and authentic. Usually I have no interest in dramas set in this sort of time period, but in the hands of Eastwood, it became something else entirely. A gripping and tragic tale of loss, murder, corruption and great injustice, that kept me at the edge of my seat right through to the end.

• Cynthia S

  
  Definitely one of my favorite movies from 2008. Shocking and unreal that this really happened. It's amazing what people were able to get away with back then. A must see movie!!

• Jeff "

  
  Clint Eastwood delivers yet another solid drama film. Changeling is the incredible and sad true story of the Gordon Northcott Chicken coop murders of 1928 and the disappearance of Christine Collins son. Clint Eastwood is a terrific director, and he tells a powerful story with… More
  Clint Eastwood delivers yet another solid drama film. Changeling is the incredible and sad true story of the Gordon Northcott Chicken coop murders of 1928 and the disappearance of Christine Collins son. Clint Eastwood is a terrific director, and he tells a powerful story with Changeling. I've seen many of his films, and this is one of the best films he has ever directed. Eastwood has a wonderful ability to tell a poignant, dramatic story, and in Changeling he does just that. Angelina Jolie plays Christine Collins, who's son, Walter has been kidnapped. No one knows who did, but Walter mysteriously reappears. The corrupt police officials tell her it's her son, but do to the fact that Walter is circumcised (the real one isn't) She goes out of her way to try to find her son, and expose the corruption and incompetence of the LAPD. She is aided by Rev. Gustav Briegleb who has spent his time exposing the corruption of the LAPD. Christine Collins is later committed to a mental hospital. It's only later till the truth about Walter's Kidnapping comes out. Walter Collins has been kidnapped by Gordon Stewart Northcott. Clint Eastwood's basis for Changeling is the Winnville Chicken Coop Murders of 1928. Changeling is a very interesting story. Eastwood has crafted a unique drama film with a sense of mystery to it. Angelina Jolie gives the best performance of her career (if you look at her track record, you'll know what I'm talking about) John Malkovich gives a stunning performance as well. Changeling is an amazing drama film, but it's hard to watch due to the subject matter. However if you're looking for a well told story with great acting, and directing; then Changeling is a must see. This is one of Clint Eastwood's best efforts as a director, and it shows that he still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve to tell a good story on film.

• Albert K

  
  Great movie with astounding performances and direction, this movie starts to lose its drive near the 3rd act. Not only that, but this movie also falls into the typical Hollywood cliche's.

• Jani H

  
  "He's not my son." Legendary Clint Eastwood is one of the most productive filmmakers beginning of the change of the millennieum. Changeling was his 7th film in 8 years and Eastwood is still going stong at 80 years of age. 'Changeling' was a film that he chose… More
  "He's not my son." Legendary Clint Eastwood is one of the most productive filmmakers beginning of the change of the millennieum. Changeling was his 7th film in 8 years and Eastwood is still going stong at 80 years of age. 'Changeling' was a film that he chose to direct instantly after reading the script written by J. Michael Straczynski ('Babylon 5' TV series!). The film is based on real events that occured in Los Angeles back in 1928. Angelina Jolie plays Christine Collins whose child, Walter, has been missing. Several months after Walter's disapperiance, she gets a call from the LAPD that informs her that her child has been found. To her surprise, the kid that she meets is not, according to her, Walter but an impostor. Christine tries to assure people that the kid is not hers but by going public with it all, the head of the LAPD'S Juvenile Division, Captain Jones, sends her to the psych ward for "treatment". Collins gets help from reverend Briegleb (John Malkovich), the only person that seems to believe her... First of all, before I write my ending to this review, I gotta say that the production design crew have done an unbelievable job on giving 'Changeling' the look that it has. I've read from a Finnish magazine that a lot of work was done with computers but the interior sets look very realistic. The clothing, make up department and set design are all top-notch. 'Changeling' is an interesting story about political corruption during the time of depression in the 30's. The story gets going very well, but the same faults are here as in most of Eastwood's movies, the length of the film. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike long movies, in fact most of my favourite movies have a duration lasting over 120 mins, but 'Changeling' drags on way too long. The time when the film comes to its dramatical high point, Eastwood just doesn't know how to end it all. During the last 30 mins or so, Eastwood comes up with several possible and logical endings. The fact that the viewers already have gotten to know what it all was really about a long time before the end credits, only backs up this argument. Why you should see this movie? I come up with several reasons. First of all the story is interesting, the acting is high-class (especially Angelina Jolie) and in overall it all looks real good. Eastwood is a fine filmmaker but I only wish that the would've thought harder on how to end the film. But for a one time viewing, 'Changeling' is a sure bet.

• Spencer S

  
  Beautiful, unsettling, poignant, and galvanizing, this picture is worth watching for certain.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings