Changeling

Maybe it's the feminist in me but I am so thrilled that Clint Eastwood has finally had the epiphany that women can be powerful storytellers as well as complex, interesting, and strong characters. What's more, the character he has chosen to personify these qualities is a mother. I have seen many of Eastwood's directorial pursuits over the years and while they are all artfully crafted I repeatedly feel frustrated by the unyielding machismo he laces his projects with - even in a more recent film actually about a woman, such as "Million Dollar Baby". "Changeling" is remarkable. And as much as it pains me to say it because she usually drives me crazy, Angelina Jolie's performance as Mrs. Collins is beautiful.

"Changeling" tells the true story of a woman in Los Angeles in the 1930s and her quest for justice in a missing child case. Like many of the best tales from LA, corruption is at its heart. Eastwood exposes the heinous atrocities of the LAPD in a way that parallels the pacing and style of Frank Darabont's "Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile". Although very little of the film takes place within caged walls the overall claustrophobia and hopelessness is ever-present.

The film is a downer to be sure. It took a quiet day home sick for me to get in the right mood to watch it. If you can bear it, give it a shot. The story is shocking - the fact that it's based on historical facts will unnerve you.