THE CHANGELING CHANGED LAPD DURING ITS TIME

For me, THE CHANGELING is Clint Eastwood's best work. I like it better than his other new film GRAN TORINO.

But it is also a brutal, heart rending and very scary movie. Not ideal for a relaxing movie night, but there are lessons that could be picked out by any viewer. Some incidents are just implied but as any movie goer knows, what you do not actually see and can only imagine is the scariest of all.

Another iTem that makes it sickening are the corrupt practices done by a few Police Officers in Los Angeles, circa 1928.


The movie started quietly with a page in the daily life of Angelina Jolie playing a single mom, taking care of an 8 year old son. She promised to bring him the next day which was her day off to see a movie.

So the next day, he did not go to school. Then Angelina's office called her for a very urgent overtime work. The boy stayed at home alone, and she said she would be home as early as possible.

When she arrived at 5:00 pm, her son was nowhere to be found. Not in the neighbour's, neither in the park nor in his usual hang outs.

So she called the Police. The Desk Officer politely said they could not take action until 24 hours have passed. It was then and up to now, the standard procedure. He said the Department has not enough manpower to look after everyboy who might have just gone out to spend a night with some friends.

Here is where the dilemna started unfolding a series of unspeakable events that are very disturbing because the movie was based a true story.

There is no easy thing about being kidnapped, abducted or unlawfully detained. The victim becomes a virtual prisoner at the mercy of a captor ( or captors ) who has only selfish and immoral ends to satisfy.

The narration of the movie moves quite smoothly sustaining its tension and releasing it little by little at first. Then it explodes into an unpredictable climax. I am glad the ending is a satisfactory one. Unlike some crime movies, all the villains were punished.

I believe Angelina Jolie deserves the best Actress Oscar for being able to portray credibly very complex and high strung emotions.---#