Movie Review: Changeling

IMDB Plot Summary "Inspired by actual events that occurred in 1920s-era Los Angeles, Clint Eastwood's "Changeling" tells the story of a woman driven to confront a corrupted LAPD after her abducted son is retrieved and she begins to suspect that the boy returned to her is not the same boy she gave birth to. The year was 1928, and the setting a working-class suburb of Los Angeles. As Christine (Angelina Jolie) said goodbye to her son, Walter, and departed for work, she never anticipated that this was the day her life would be forever changed. Upon returning home, Christine was distressed to discover that Walter was nowhere to be found. Over the course of the following months, the desperate mother would launch a search that would ultimately prove fruitless. Yet just when it seemed that all hope was lost, a nine-year-old boy claiming to be Christine's son seemed to appear out of thin air. Overcome with emotions and uncertain how to face the authorities or the press, Christine invites the child to stay in her home despite knowing without a doubt that he is not her son. As much as Christine would like to accept the fact that her son has been returned to her, she cannot accept the injustice being pushed upon her and continues to challenge the Prohibition-era Los Angeles police force at every turn. As a result, Christine is slandered by the powers that be, and painted as an unfit mother. In this town, a woman who challenges the system is putting her life on the line, and as the situation grows desperate, the only person willing to aid her in her search is benevolent local activist Reverend Briegleb (John Malkovich)."

First of all, this movie brought me to tears many times. Just like "The Orphanage" it is so hard for a mother to lose a child. Being a mother myself, I could just not handle even the thought. I am a very protective mother. My daughter is my life. In the movie, the character "Christine Collins" was a single mom. I was too at one point. All you think about is going to work and then coming home and taking care of your child. To one day have your child not be home when you are home and for them to not come back would cause me to have a nervous breakdown. I cannot believe that the LAPD would then turn around and say that they had found her child, when in fact, a mother would know what and WHO her own child IS! I am going all over the place with my opinion on the movie but I do not care!

I was really astounded by everything surrounding Christine Collin's case. From the LAPD trying to cover up their mistake by finding the WRONG child, to the serial killer who had been killing the boys around town. Then after all of that, in the middle being thrown into the Psycho Hospital because you are denying your fake son! I think though she was brave and won in the end, even though she never found her son.

I think Angelina Jolie portrayed Christine Collins very well.