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Review of The Changeling

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Recently, thanks to the lovely Lesley, I was given two months’ free subscription to Lovefilm.com, and, a month in, I’m loving it! It comes as a surprise each time I find a new DVD waiting for me – like a little present.

The latest to drop through my letterbox was The Changeling, starring Angelina Jolie and directed by Clint Eastwood.  I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this – I’d heard mixed reviews, and despite it being nominated for a whole host of awards, it only ever received a handful, none of which were the ‘biggies’. So, without huge expectations, I settled down to watch it, and soon enough was gripped by the story. Angelina Jolie plays Christine Collins whose nine-year-old son, Walter, goes missing. After months of searching, the LAPD produce a boy who fits Walter’s description and tell Christine they have found him. When Christine tries to tell the LAPD that they have the wrong boy and need to continue searching for her son, they declare her insane and have her committed to a mental asylum.

The plot might seem a little farfetched but it is actually based on a real-life case, which makes the film even more harrowing. It’s perhaps a little overlong, but it’s beautifully filmed and gives a real flavour of 1920s America, and the casting was fantastic – particularly that of Angelina Jolie. I had been worried that this role would be too subtle for her – or that I’d keep expecting her to do a Lara Croft Tomb Raider-esque running jump – but she surprised me with her understated and dignified performance.

So, I’d definitely recommend Lovefilm.com and The Changeling – thank you very much, Lesley!

Louise Watson, Editor


Lesley Says:


You’re welcome! I’m hoping our latest rental ‘The Hangover’ will have arrived in time for weekend viewing - all preparation for Vegas!




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