A fine film

Changeling is a ponderous thriller about a lot of themes. It covers abduction, loneliness and the historical fact that the police really sucked back in the day. The film has a quiet, subtle tone to it that it carries throughout. No matter how horrendous the crimes we see committed, Changeling seems to distance itself from the events and make us look at them from afar. It's never sensationalistic or "epic". It's just a long and sturdy tale about the rights and wrongs people happen to make. Angelina Jolie literally shines as the star of this cruel play, and perhaps makes a performance of a lifetime. The subplots always support the theme and work very well structurally, and Eastwood directs it very solidly. That's why it comes with such sadness when I announce that this film doesn't really have anything new to say. It provides us with nothing new aside from technical expertise. It has not one original bone in it's body. It's a very enjoyable, emotional humane drama, but often feels more like an homage to the genre it represents rather than an original film of that specific genre. This is a flaw, as a film this majestically composed deserves a script that explores these themes deeper and more psychologically. As it is a lot of the events in the movie are left very shallow and superficial. We never really get any in-depth exploration of emotion or behaviour. We just get a very well narrated story. It's a joy to behold, but leaves you empty within.

8/10