Collegiate Times

Clint Eastwood did it again, folks. Did he feel lucky? I'm guessing so, because "Changeling" was an ace.

The cowboy known for taking a shot at the system brought to life the story of a loner who defied the system. As he did for Hillary Swank in "Million Dollar Baby," he put Angelina Jolie in for all the hits she could take to fight for what was right. However, this fight was not in a boxing arena, but rather a well-known department of the government that has corruption intertwined throughout it -- the police department.

Angelina Jolie plays single mother Christine Collins whose son is kidnapped. She frantically searches and seeks the help of the police to find her son. Months after his disappearance, she seems thrilled that her son is found, only to find that the 9-year-old returned to her is not her son.

Jolie seeks to find answers and her character is indeed believable -- I mean, she does have a good handful of children, so relating this story to her life was no challenge. In the 1920s, it was not wise to challenge the police department, especially as a woman. To try and silence her, the cops deem her as crazy and unfit so that she will gain no support in the search for her son.

She eventually finds a friend in John Malkovich, who plays a priest on her side who helps her roam the city to find her son. There is almost a sense of revenge in Malkovich's character, Gustav Briegleb, who is very active in challenging the police. It made it interesting that he is both a member of the church and someone trying to bring down corruption in the law -- the sweet and kindly reverend role that many are used to seeing does not apply in this film, which made for an extremely refreshing outlook.

Many can agree that Jeffrey Donovan's character, Capt. Jones of the LAPD, is despicable and easy to dislike. The way he carries his character throughout the movie shows an absolute lack of compassion, and a selfish outlook on protecting his own pride and reputation. Well done, Donovan.

The film kept me on the edge of my seat, and the most compelling part was that it is based on a true story. Watching Jolie get locked up in a psychiatric ward to prove she isn't afraid of the police and will do anything to find her son made many think about the horror it is to lose a child. Talking to parents who had watched the film, they agree it is their worst fear and that they would do anything to ensure the safety of their children. Even for the college crowd, the thought is scary.

That, however, is a flaw on the filmmaker's part -- touching on a very realistic and still prevalent fear. The fact that it takes place in the '20s makes it a bit more comforting, as corruption to that extent is certainly no longer tolerated in the society we live in today.

Reading up on the story after the movie, the film stuck pretty well to the facts. That said, there were a few courtroom moments that made me a bit sleepy, but Eastwood brought the movie back to life fast -- he's good at that. For as long a movie as it was, clocking in at two-and-a-half hours, it was compelling enough to keep my attention the whole time.