Movie Mom

Changeling

Thursday October 30, 2008

B
Audience: Mature High Schooler
MPAA Rating: Rated R for some violent and disturbing content, and language.
Movie Release Date: October 25, 2008
Radiantly beatific, Angelina Jolie glows with mother love in bright red lipstick and a series of divine cloche hats as Christine Collins, a devoted single mother, in this fact-based drama directed by Clint Eastwood. In 1928 Los Angeles, while she...
Comments
movie buff
October 31, 2008 12:46 PM

I would not waste my money to see a movie with Angelina Jolie, she is a mediocre actress with some very weird ideas. She is a homewrecker who does not speak to her father because he left her mother??? Double standard. I love Clint Eastwood but this movie I will pass on. Brad Pitt (the puppet) is another person whose movies I do without. I cannot for the life of me understand why they get all this publicity because they have 6 kids, get over it, there are many families with more than 6 kids who actually have to take care of them and wonder where their next meal is coming from and how to live crammed in a small house they can't afford. They also cannot afford the plastic surgery that Jolie has had, anyone can be beautiful if they have the money. I am sick, sick, sick or seeing their phony faces plastered everywhere, let's have some real people make the headlines.

Susan M
October 31, 2008 3:02 PM

Come on, Movie Buff...tell us how you really feel! It's doubtful Jolie has had plastic surgery...surgery normally makes one look artificial or odd. She looks neither. Whether you like her politics or not, I believe she's a good actress, and would agree with Movie Mom that her real-life mother image might get in the way of this role. But unlike you, I'll see the film myself to confirm my feelings.

Christian Toto
October 31, 2008 6:12 PM
http://whatwouldtotowatch.com

What distracted me, besides the film's tension-free courtroom scenes, was just how horribly thin Jolie is here.

Normally, it's mean spirited to critique an actor's looks ... but her emaciated form took me out of the film time and time again. It's a shame no one in her life could pull her aside during the shoot and tell her how unhealthy she looks. I also doubt a woman of that era would choose to look like the waif-thin models you'd find in a 2008 magazine.

Pauline Carik
November 1, 2008 6:54 AM
http://paulinecarik@beliefnet.com

I agree with Movie Buff. I have a difficult time watching anything and reading anything by Angeline Jolie or what's his name ( the Brad babysitter). I am a christian who is swayed by what to watch in consideration to the attitude and persona of the actor/actress. And yes, she does look horribly thin with too many body pictures and too showy with her Look at how world caring I am family. I wonder how many nannies take care of these children? God forgive me if I'm out of line but sometimes I get the sense that ever since the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith was filmed, I'll have nothing to do with either of them. God's still firm on Brad being betrothed to Jennifer and my bible is not wrong so there is some adultery here whether married on earth or not to Jolie.

Nell Minow
November 1, 2008 10:03 PM

Pauline and Movie Buff, it is always a shame when actors' real-life activities make it impossible for you to appreciate their performances. While I do not advocate dismissing all work by artists whose life choices disappoint or offend us, I recognize that it can be a distraction and that in some cases audiences may decide that they do not want to support people of whom they do not approve.

In my opinion, Angelina Jolie is a fine actress and she is also someone who has turned away from a life of foolish and destructive choices to become a devoted mother and a respected advocate for the world's children. But I understand and respect your comments and appreciate your taking the time to write.

Christian, I agree with you that Jolie's underweight appearance was a distraction in this film -- I originally wrote about it in my review but then took it out. I may put it back!

Mike
November 2, 2008 7:08 AM

Just curious why you added "the" to the title of the movie?

Nell Minow
November 2, 2008 9:34 AM

You're right, Mike! Thanks for the correction.

Mary Keeley
November 7, 2008 3:37 PM

Saw this on Monday night. Ms. Jolie is a very good actress, but the fact that Mr. Eastwood loved, loved, loved her face was a distraction. He has a tendency to over do close-ups--especially of his female leads. Just my opinion. Otherwise, I think this film is well done and he certainly captures the era's look and feel extremely well. I actually liked the film better than "Million Dollar Baby", which I still believe was overrated and not his best. This story brought me to tears several times. As a Mom of 4 boys and Nonna to 9 grandchildren, it was so difficult to watch. Ms. Collins was undoubtedly treated criminally and with inhuman cruelty both by the police and the mental "health" workers. I looked up the case on the Internet when I got home and it made me feel even sadder! And to learn she died without ever finding her boy was devastating. It certainly is a story that needed to be told so that we as citizens make sure nothing like this ever happens again. Looking forward to Mr. Eastwood's newest.
Ciao!

Al Hall
November 9, 2008 9:56 PM

My family and I just saw the movie and agree that Angelina Jolie is Oscar material for best actress on this one. As always, Clint Eastwood
hit a home run on directing this movie.

USAF NCO
November 13, 2008 11:06 PM

What school was used for the filming of the movie? Looks like El Segundo HS?

Nell Minow
November 14, 2008 8:29 AM

According to IMDB, it was the Daniel Webster Elementary School in Pasadena.

Disappointed
November 17, 2008 2:18 PM

For ruining the plot for me. So, now I don't have to see the movie. I already know (thanks to you) that she dies without finding her son. This is just great!!!

Nell Minow
November 17, 2008 11:11 PM

You're jumping to conclusions, Disappointed. I am careful about spoilers (except when I have to reveal information as a part of my parental warnings), so read it again to see what I did and did not say.

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