Changeling |  | Director: Clint Eastwood
Actors: Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore, Amy Ryan, Gattlin Griffith, Michelle Gunn
Studio: Universal Studios
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy Used: $1.98
as of 2/9/2010 05:42 EST details
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Rating:  188 reviews
Sales Rank: 2341
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 141 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 61102078
UPC: 025195016902
EAN: 0025195016902
ASIN: B001NFNFNU
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: February 17, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Genre: Drama
Rating: R
Release Date: 17-FEB-2009
Media Type: DVD
Amazon.com
Clint Eastwood’s mastery as a director, established over the past decade and a half with Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Letters from Iwo Jima, and others, continues with Changeling, a 2008 offering based on a shocking but all-too-true story about child abduction and police corruption in 1920s Los Angeles. Single mother Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie, excellent in a role with somewhat limited parameters) finds her 9-year-old son, Walter, missing when she returns home from work one day. She files a report with the Los Angeles Police Department, an outfit that was wildly unpopular at the time (in his regular radio broadcast, a crusading pastor played by John Malkovich decries the force as "violent and corrupt," adding that "our protectors are our brutalizers"). When a child roughly matching Walter’s description turns up in Illinois five months later, the LAPD, intent on salvaging its tattered reputation, is only too eager to claim that he is Collins’ missing child. Little matters that he’s three inches shorter, is circumcised (Walter wasn’t), and fails to pass muster with Walter’s dentist, schoolteacher, and others; the cops, in particular the odious Captain J.J. Jones (Jeffrey Donovan), insist that the mistake is Christine’s, not theirs. What follows is almost too nightmarish to believe--except that it actually happened. Exasperated by Collins’ continued claim that "Walter" is a fraud, they trot out a doctor to reinforce the bogus ID, declare her unfit as a mother, and finally have her committed to a local psychopathic ward. Through it all, Collins, bolstered by the pastor and thousands of outraged Angelenos, refuses to sign a document that would exonerate the police for their egregious error. As for Walter, it’s only when the LAPD’s seemingly only honest detective (Michael Kelly) takes matters into his own hands that the grisly mystery of the child’s fate begins to be solved. That would have been a good place for the film to conclude, too. Unfortunately, it goes on for more than another half hour, with innumerable false endings that add nothing to the story and could just as easily have been summarized with a few sentences before the final credits. That flaw aside (and it’s a major one), Changeling is a powerful film, with a realistic period feel, a wonderfully muted vibe and color palette, and an understated score by Eastwood himself. --Sam Graham
Stills from Changeling (Click for larger image)
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 188
 pleasantly surprised February 6, 2010
English major (Florida)
We got this movie quite a while ago and just got around to watching it. I remember hearing mixed reviews when it was first released, so was reluctant to take the time to actually sit down for a few hours and watch it. It turned out to be a great movie! Very gripping and entertaining though also very sad at times, because you know it was based on a true story. Angelina Jolie does an excellent job in this role. One of the few negatives is that the movie is a tad too long. If it could have been condensed a little and shortened by about 20-30 minutes it would have been even better. Highly recommended!
 The hardpan is ever present in Wineville January 24, 2010
Featherwood Kid, Gordon (Diamond Bar, CA USA)
Having once lived in Mira Loma, the renamed town of Wineville, I can attest that the impermeable sandstone or clay type of ground that lies just beneath the surface of the earth is almost impossible to penetrate without a pick-axe or a jackhammer. This would explain, when the boy digs to expose a boot and then some bones, why they were buried just inches below the surface. Also, the initial investigative scene had quite a breeze blowing, a common occurance in Mira Loma - we used to call the place "windy gulch". Those who made the movie sure got those aspects correctly.
I found this to be a superb movie, with a good story line and excellent actors all the way through. It left me with a sense that we had better guard against city politics and any police departments such as Los Angeles endured during the 1920's and 1930's. One should always be aware of and guard against what those in power are doing behind the scenes, and this movie illustrates it very well. Well done!
Another Great Work from Clint Eastwood January 22, 2010
Tsuyoshi (Kyoto, Japan)
Clint Eastwood's thriller/drama "Changeling" is a tough film to sit through at times because of the subject matter it deals with (portrayed with aptly simple and understated touch, though). The extraordinary story of Christine Collins, which involves horrifying violence and injustice, is a bit long for some, but it remains compelling throughout without relying on sensationalism.
One of the greatest assets of the film based on the true events is, not surprisingly, Angelina Jolie and her strong performance as Christine Collins, whose 9-year-old boy Walter disappeared in Los Angels, in 1928. Five months later police Captain J.J. Jones (Jeffrey Donovan) in charge of the case announces that the boy was found in DeKalb, Illinois. However, Christine Collins is shocked to know that the "Walter" who shows up before her is not her son although the police and "Walter" himself claim that he is. But what really happened to Walter Collins?
Angelina Jolie ditches her Lara Croft image for a new role as a grief-stricken woman who continues to fight for what she loves. Michael Kelly is equally memorable as Detective Ybarra, who plays an important role in uncovering the horrible truths behind the missing case. But perhaps the real star is the city of Los Angles and Tom Stern's cinematography that vividly describes the world where Christine Collins and her son Walter lived.
"Changeling is another impressive achievement from Clint Eastwood, a powerful character-driven drama, bolstered with gifted actors, beautifully-shot cinematography and sure-handed direction.
Most difficult film I've seen in a while. January 11, 2010
Katy F. (CA, USA)
I haven't cried this much watching a movie in a long time. Maybe it's the mother part of me that just couldn't handle it, especially when what happened at the chicken coop begins to be revealed. Everything from then on was just heartwrenching. I almost didn't want to finish the movie, but I had to find out if she ever found her son. :(
Amazing movie--I'm shocked that it was based on a true story--but I sort of wish I hadn't put myself through this--it felt a bit like having my heart ripped out and stomped on. I had to go give my kids extra hugs and kisses when I finished watching it.
Absolutely a great movie! January 10, 2010
K. Reddick (Phoenix, Arizona)
This was hands down a wonderful movie from the beginning to the end. Every single actor in this movie was superb! Without giving away the story, it saddens me to have seen how easily it was to place someone into a mental institution without a valid reason back then. Without the help of people around you back then or ones who really knew you, you were a target for anyone who had a point to make. In this story the easiest thing to do was to give up, give in and not believe in yourself. The fight was not in everyone back then. This lady fought. I mean ..REALLY FOUGHT HARD! She fought hard for everything she believed in until she got it. I admire the movie makers of this film for stepping out on faith to retell it. It is definitely inspiring and challenges people today to believe and never ever give up. Great movie...
Showing reviews 1-5 of 188
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