According to writer J. Michael Straczynski, the more he researched into the life of Christine Collins, the more he came to admire her courage, strength and perseverance. However, researching her story also led to “The Wineville Chicken Coop Murders.” And although he ended up with close to 6,000 pages of information, he wrote the script in 11 days.
Director Clint Eastwood delivers a revelatory drama and taut thriller with “The Changeling,” which chronicles Christine Collins’ (Angelina Jolie) search for her missing 9-year-old son, Walter. After five agonizing months, the police deliver a boy they claim is Walter. And they continue to ignore Christine’s pleas to continue looking for her son because the one they delivered is not Walter. You see, her son is not circumcised and is three inches taller. In addition, dental records and Walter’s teacher prove that the boy residing in Christine’s home is an imposter. When Christine tries to press her cause by questioning the police with the help of a powerful Presbyterian minister, Gustav Briegleb (John Malkovich), she is scooped up and sent to a mental asylum. The intent is to shut her up, but this backfires, especially when the story expands to include an investigation into Gordon Northcott (Jason Butler Harner), a serial killer linked to the deaths of 20 children.
The acting is superb, especially Jolie who grabs our attention and holds it throughout the film. As the detective who cracks the Northcott case, Michael Kelly is outstanding as is Jeffrey Donovan, who plays the corrupt LAPD captain who does everything he can to make Christine go away. Christine Collins’ story is remarkable, not just because of her brave fight for justice but because it reveals a blatant abuse of public trust. Much of what happens to Christine could not happen today; we’ve become much more cynical. Nonetheless, “The Changeling” is riveting. 10/23/08
1 comment:
The Blogger "nailed" the essence of "The Changeling" very well. This story points out a time in our history when we had fewer rights as citizens, especially women. The police were the unquestioned authority and woe be to you if you got in their way or challenged them. They would and could crush you without fear of reprisal. This all lead to major corruption and abuses that boggled the mind. Good job blogger!!
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