Changeling

Name: Changeling
Genre: Drama, History, Mystery, Thriller
Released: October 24, 2008
Duration: 141 min
Rating: 63
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore

2008

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 233 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 233 Ratings

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Changeling

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: October 24, 2008 | R

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore

Summary: Los Angeles, 1928: On a Saturday morning in a working-class suburb, Christine said goodbye to her son, Walter, and left for work. When she came home, she discovered he had vanished. A fruitless search ensues, and months later, a boy claiming to be the nine-year-old is returned. Dazed by the swirl of cops, reporters and her conflictedLos Angeles, 1928: On a Saturday morning in a working-class suburb, Christine said goodbye to her son, Walter, and left for work. When she came home, she discovered he had vanished. A fruitless search ensues, and months later, a boy claiming to be the nine-year-old is returned. Dazed by the swirl of cops, reporters and her conflicted emotions, Christine allows him to stay overnight. But in her heart, she knows he is not Walter. As she pushes authorities to keep looking, she learns that in Prohibition-era L.A., women don't challenge the system and live to tell their story. Slandered as delusional and unfit, Christine finds an ally in activist Reverend Briegleb, who helps her fight the city to look for her missing boy. Based on the actual incident that rocked California's legal system, Changeling tells the shocking tale of a mother's quest to find her son, and those who won't stop until they silence her. (Universal Pictures)… Expand

Director: Clint Eastwood

Genre(s): Drama, History, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 141 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Todd McCarthy

Emotionally powerful and stylistically sure-handed, this true story-inspired drama begins small with the disappearance of a young boy, only to gradually fan out to become a comprehensive critique of the entire power structure of Los Angeles, circa 1928. Read full review

Kirk Honeycutt

In Changeling Eastwood continues to probe uncomfortable subjects to depict the individual and even existential struggle to do what is right. Read full review

Peter Travers

Jolie is inspired casting. She plays the role like a gathering storm, moving from terror to a fierce resolve. And Eastwood, at the peak of his artful powers, tightens the screws of suspense without ever forgetting where the heart of his film lies. Read full review

Rick Groen

No matter how strange it gets, or how distorted for political gain or refined for religious purposes, its essence is hard to pin down, even after a 2 1/2 -hour search. Read full review

Dana Stevens

All of Eastwood's rigorous craftsmanship seems wasted on a movie whose message never rises above the bumper-sticker admonition that "mean people suck." Read full review

Dallas Observer Ella Taylor

Biblically classical, tastefully vintage with aerial shots of wet umbrellas and Homburg hats and not a little staid considering its sensational source material, Changeling isn't so much dull as it is an open book. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

J. Michael Straczynski's disjointed script manages to ring false at almost every significant turn (Collins' psychiatric-hospital stay has grown into a latter-day version of "The Snake Pit") and Clint Eastwood's ponderous direction -- a disheartening departure from his sure touch in "Letters From Iwo Jima" and "The Bridges of Madison County" -- magnifies the flaws. Read full review

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User Reviews

MovieGoer14

Jul 16, 2013

Changeling is directed by Clint Eastwood (Great Director) and Angelina Jolie (Great Actress) which follows the story of Christine Collins (Great Story) whose son went missing on March 10th 1928, she reported her missing son to the police department (Great Department that is corrupt and wouldChangeling is directed by Clint Eastwood (Great Director) and Angelina Jolie (Great Actress) which follows the story of Christine Collins (Great Story) whose son went missing on March 10th 1928, she reported her missing son to the police department (Great Department that is corrupt and would do whatever to keep their heads up, even by being corrupt) and the went searching for him. Three months later, they thought that they "found him" but as it turns out it is not her son, so the police department won't handle the truth (will give them great shame) so they decide to send to a The movie is actually very realistic and moving in a riveting way, with the first rate art direction (Great Direction) and great performances but heartbreaking story. When you watch Changeling, it sends you to the 1928, as if you feel that you are really someone in the movie, you get involved in everything Christine is involved in, it is truly amazing who you feel in the movie, you get disturbed and sad, but you would never want it to end, you still wanna live in the town to see what will happen next, it is really amusing and spectacular with photography and soundtrack that you will never ever forget. Everything above is greatness, which shows that Changeling is a true masterpiece and one of the best movies of all time.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

ElisabethR.

Dec 23, 2008

An amazing movie with a lot of spirit and amazing acting from Angelina Jolie

0 of 0 users found this helpful

MetalMan95

Sep 23, 2010

A very strong drama with little to complain about. It combines two of my favorite genres of film: Drama and Thriller. I adore it to every minute. Never a boring part. Yes, some useless parts, but people with a heart will enjoy it.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

DanaM.

Nov 10, 2008

Well worth seeing on the big screen. Remarkable how Clint was able to recreate 1920's Los Angeles. Superb acting by all ( well maybe average acting by the LA Police Captain with the forced Irish brogue). Angelina was excellent although the red lipstick on her oversized lips was a Well worth seeing on the big screen. Remarkable how Clint was able to recreate 1920's Los Angeles. Superb acting by all ( well maybe average acting by the LA Police Captain with the forced Irish brogue). Angelina was excellent although the red lipstick on her oversized lips was a little much. Go see it... the story is worth experiencing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

beingryanjude

Sep 3, 2014

A curious subject as true then as it is today. Clint Eastwood creates another grim circumstance in which a Mother has lost a child. This time, the government has seemingly taken him away from her.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

iamtrent424

Dec 6, 2010

Pretty good. A touching story. I like the the heart in this movie. I like movies with a nice story. They did a good job with the screen writing for this movie. This movie could have been a bad movie just as easy as it was a good one. Jolie did a fine job in this movie. One of her bestPretty good. A touching story. I like the the heart in this movie. I like movies with a nice story. They did a good job with the screen writing for this movie. This movie could have been a bad movie just as easy as it was a good one. Jolie did a fine job in this movie. One of her best performance ever. Jolie is an excellent actress.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

OscarM.

Oct 24, 2008

Awful and boring.

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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68	#68 Most Discussed Movie of 2008
77	#77 Most Shared Movie of 2008