[DVD Review] Changeling: Don't Believe What You're Told

Director: Clint Eastwood
Written By: J. Michael Straczynski
Produced By: Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Robert Lorenz
Starring: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Gattlin Griffith, Jason Butler Harner, Eddie Alderson



It is one of the most fearful incidents that could ever happen to a parent; coming home to find your child missing. Director Clint Eastwood hits close to home by retelling the true story of a women on the brink of an emotional breakdown. Even though we may have read through all the articles pertaining to the Wineville chicken coop murders, which is the name given to this incident, Changeling does not fail to bring tears to the eyes. It becomes so frustrating because we know we can do nothing but watch as the story unfolds.

We are first introduced to Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) as a single mother taking care of her son, Walter Collins (Gattlin Griffith). From the time when Walter goes to school to when school ends, Christine works at a telephone company. It would seem that Christine never lets Walter out of her sight. But on this one fateful day, on a Saturday, Christine is left with no choice but to leave Walter on his own as she leaves for work. The image of Walter in the window is the last we will see of him and the battle with the LAPD will begin.

After checking the house and the entire neighborhood, Christine calls the police when Walter is nowhere to be found. Because of police policy, she is not able to file a missing persons report for another twenty-four hours. Several months pass and there is no word of her son. When it is reported to her that her son has been found, all the tension and frustration held to now is released in the form of weak knees and tears. Impatient, Christine runs to meet up with her son only to be confronted by a complete stranger. However, to give off a good image, the LAPD is determined to convince Christine that Walter has physically changed because of his "traumatic" experience.

Not convinced with the LAPD's explanations, Christine demands they find her real son. However, unwilling to admit the department has made a mistake, the LAPD manipulates Christine's words and actions of those of a delusional women. To keep her quiet, the department enters her in a psychiatric ward. Only when the truth is revealed is she released. Angered with the injustice, Christine is not satisfied. She will not be satisfied until the LAPD is brought down and revealed for their corruption. When everything is finally over we are still left with questions unanswered.

Even though we know the outcome, the acting of Angelina Jolie and her co-stars pull the audience into the story as if this was the first time ever hearing of it. There are several emotions involved that completes the whole experience. We feel anger when the LAPD continually discredits Christine. We feel frustration when no one believes Christine's claims. We feel sadness when Christine breaks down crying. Without the actions to go along with the words, none of these emotions would exist. Because we see just words, we feel detached from the story. But paired with fantastic acting skills and direction, the audience is able to experience an event without having to experience it in their own lives.

Changeling reminds us that in our lives we will go through several hardships. However, they may not be to this extreme. But reality is reality and a true story like this is as close to reality as you can get. The fact that this could become someones reality is more horrifying than any horror movie ever filmed.