Mini Review - 'Changeling'

Not so much a review as random babblings.
The story depicted in the film 'Changeling' is one so fascinating and horrific that you most likely wouldn't believe it. In 1928 Walter Collins disappeared. His mother Christine, frantically searched for him until the LAPD found and returned him to his mother. However, the boy was not her son, and she was locked away in an insane asylum because she dared to publicly say that the police has made a mistake. It was only until the partial bodies of many children were found in Wineville California, and one of the killers identified Walter as being a victim, that she was let out.

It was harrowing stuff to read. It could have been two films in one.
However watching the film, and overly dramatic and sloppy telling of this true life crime, makes you think the story is nothing but second rate fiction.
I can forgive the film for leaving out certain details, such as the children were kidnapped and rented out to wealthy Southern California pedophiles. Or that the killer was aided by his own mother. Audiences would hate pedo's and child killing mothers, I mean how very unlike Clint to show that.
However there are certain elaborations taken in regards to the fate of Walter that firstly, are not true, and secondly have no purpose than to give the central character in the film hope. Leave out fact sure, but don't introduce fiction to a true story.
And as for the central character, well Angelina Jolie tried her best, but simpering and crying and shouting 'he's not my son' over and over again does not a performance make. And boy does she cry, and cry and cry and cry. Yes, it is emotional and overwhelming stuff for a mother to go through, but having to watch a constantly glassy eyed Jolie takes its toll. I mean her eyes wee so glassy she looked like Puss-n-Boots.
The rest of the cast is uneven and forgettable, much like the movie.
I was thinking after watching it, how good it would have been had the cast Mary Louise Parker and had David Fincher direct. If only eh?
It seems Jolie get Oscar nominated only when she doesn't really deserve it. when she does, she is snubbed. Go figure!
For a better review that is much more though out and a lot nicer go here.

Grade: D+