Changeling

UK Release: 26th November 2008

Watched on TV: Friday 17th June 2011

Rating: 15

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Runtime: 2hrs 11mins

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

IMDb Plot Summary: Los Angeles, 1928. A single mother returns from work to find her nine-year-old son gone. She calls the LAPD to initiate a search. Five months later, a boy is found in Illinois who fits the description; he says he's her son. To fanfare and photos, the LAPD reunite mother and son, but she insists he's not her boy. The cops dismiss her as either a liar or hysterical. When she joins a minister in his public criticism of the police, they in turn use government power to silence and intimidate her. Meanwhile, a cop goes to a dilapidated ranch to find a Canadian lad who's without legal status; the youth tells a grisly tale. There's redress for murder; is there redress for abuse of power? 

My Review: Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Angelina Jolie as the remarkable Christine Collins whose son disappeared on March 10, 1928. 

What happens next is a powerful, dark story of police corruption and a twist that was so horrific that even the idea that is a true story made it cruelly hypnotic. 

Christine’s plight sinisterly spirals, but with the help of Rev. Gustav Briegleb John Malkovich, who demonstrates some terrific Oscar-worthy acting, the film doesn’t completely plunge into depressing depths. 
Yet there was a lack of hope (despite and along with the ending), therefore I couldn’t score any higher. This film was pure brilliance however and I strongly urge you to watch it. It grips you right until the very end. 

The acting, score, cinematography and writing, all make up to one spectacular film. 

Score: 8.5/10