'Changeling' Solid, But Without a Spark

Posted Friday, October 31 2008 12:41:01 am

By Greg Frink
Cinema Columnist

It should be no surprise to anyone that Clint Eastwood can make a good movie. In fact, since 2003, the streak that he has been on is rather impressive: Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Flags of our Father, Letters from Iwo Jima. All these, except for Flags of our Father, have at least been nominated for Best Picture.

He has the ability to make movies powerful and moving, without coming across as fake, or even worse, as boring. He can give his films a stylistic look without coming across as artsy.

So, it would make sense that his new film “Changeling” would be a quality, well made film. And, of course, it is.

“Changeling” is the true story of Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie), a single mother living in Los Angeles during the 1920’s. Upon returning home one Saturday evening, she is horrified to find out that her son, who she had left home alone, has now disappeared. Frantically, she seeks the help of the LAPD, a department that was, at the time, filled with corruption, to little success.

Jump ahead five months; she is contacted by the police, claiming that they have found her son. However, her joyful reunion is not as it seems—the boy they claim to be her son is not. She demands that the child is not her son, but is dismissed by the chief of police, played with a particularly devilish distain by Jeffrey Donovan. As she presses the police about the child, they go from ambivalence to anger. The only source of support is from a Rev. Gustav Briegleb (John Malkovich), who is determined to expose the light of the corruption of the LAPD.

As has already been stated, “Changeling” is a quality film. From start to finish, the acting is passionate, the pacing is right, the scenes are effective. Clearly, Eastwood is in his form.

But (there is always a but), there is just something about the film that does not grab me. I analogize it like this: it is like seeing a girl (or guy if you are of the fairer sex) walking down the street and you know that she is attractive, but you personally are not attracted to her. Sometime, there just isn’t a spark.

“Changeling” just didn’t spark for me.

So, while I hate to give the film a bad review, it just didn’t jump off the screen for me. But who knows? Maybe you will have different luck. I can at least guarantee you won’t hate it.