ChangelingMovie Reviews

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Oh No!
Written November 1, 2008
HORRIFYING......READ THIS REVIEW BEFORE YOU SEE THIS MOVIE

by 6474

If you are at all affected by graphic scenes of brutal murder and torture, DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT SEEING CHANGELING. I AM WARNING YOU. I love powerful dramas, even with a little violence, but THIS MOVIE IS HORRIFYING. My family and I walked out after the first hour....We couldn't take it anymore. I was closing my eyes half of the time and was still scared out of my mind. I suppose Angelina Jolie's acting wasn't bad, but THIS MOVIE IS NOT ONLY ABOUT HER STRUGGLE. Changeling describes IN DETAIL USING GRAPHIC FLASH BACKS,the murders of TWENTY CHILDREN and THEIR horrific struggle to stay alive. I WILLL REPEAT MYSELF. DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 14, or IF YOU ARE AFFECTED IN ANY WAY BY GRAPHIC SCENES OF CHILD MURDER!!!!
- 43 out of 66 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 30, 2008
Beautiful, Beautiful Film

by pac8864

I think it's apparent that this film is going to do extremely well and that there is big talk of Oscar nods, so i only have a statement in regards to the reviewers claiming that the movie was "too long." Going into the movie, and knowing it was going to be near 2 and a half hours long, I made sure to pay attention to audience reactions and involvement throughout. I must say that throughout the whole 2 1/2 hours, the audience was so involved and so captivated by each moment that there were groans, moans, laughter, gasps, and most importantly REACTION. What movie can you nowadays walk into and hear passionate reactions as a whole from an audience? (other than an obvious comedy). I think Eastwood has succeeded with this film; to be able to evoke such emotion and reaction from an audience is truly admirable.
- 25 out of 31 found this review helpful.
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Go
Written October 29, 2008
Changeling

by MikeS3333

I was unaware of the story before seeing this movie.
I found this movie to be provocative and disturbing. Normally a 2:20 minute movie would be way too long for me but not in this case. Eastwood and the Actors did a good job.
- 16 out of 24 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written November 10, 2008
Material was horrifying! Ruined the story with overacting! Wait for the DVD

by moviefanwith3kids

While the movie itself was a heartwrenching based on true story picture, the acting was so overdramatized it took away from the scenes.

It should have made me cry. I cry at sad commercials and this was defiantely a story that is so horrendously painful it should bring tears to your eyes. Yet I did not. The only reason I can think of is that the acting was not up to par. Jolie overacted so much that you had a hard time believeing her. I would wait for it to come out on DVD. Just not worth the price of a moivie ticket
- 10 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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Go
Written October 29, 2008
Beautiful, but a bit scattershot.

by hpanic7342

Changeling is impeccably acted and gorgeously shot. Many times I found myself simply admiring the editing rhythms in a particular sequence or marveling at the composition of specific shots. That said, the screenplay had some problems; this felt like four movies mashed together into one. Any one of those four probably would have made for a great film, but together they felt like the material wasn't getting its proper emotional due. Of course, the story is so chaotic that perhaps this was the right way to approach the material, but those who like their movies as simple as possible (I don't mean "simple" in a bad way here) will find a frustrating film with nonetheless impeccable technical merit.
- 14 out of 21 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 31, 2008
A great movie that kept me glued to my seat for all 2 hours plus and I'd have sat for another 2

by Dark_Chameleon

This is a great movie, I could stop there and you'd get the idea but this reallyis a great movie for all its parts, the actors dropped you straight into the story line, Jolie was not her sexy sultry self because the character would have suffered if she had been, the direction was oscar worthy as well as mrs pitts.
I'd go again and buy the DVD when it eventually comes out without hesitation, the smaller part actors were picked with perfection to never take your mind away from the storyline, at no time did I feel that even one actor reminded me this was a period piece.

Some have said being 2 plus hours long made this suffer or the story could have been told in half that time but if your going to the movies to watch a story then this is the story to watch, its not just taking you from the start to the end in as short a time as it wold take to get you there but telling a full story where in the end you feel you have been presented the best detailed description possible A grade
- 20 out of 33 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written November 21, 2008
Intense Story!

by mandaartist

I went into this film with much anticipation - and I was not let down! The story was very emotional and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! It had me questioning what was real, who was crazy, and who was telling the truth. This is not a "feel good" movie, but it is definitely one everyone should see. Great acting - great movie!
- 7 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written November 10, 2008
Beware! Horror Movie!

by wargames5555

Changeling is labeled mystery/suspense which it is not. It is a drama/horror movie. This movie was so graphic and violent and I am afraid I will never get the images out of my mind of the children being murdered with an ax and their precious blood being sprayed all over the murderer. Also, hearing the children scream and cry in the chicken coop and call out for their mothers just tore my heart to pieces. I had terrible nightmares all last night. I have three children and this is just not a movie for parents or at least they should be warned! Also, the hanging scene borders on comedic and should have been edited particularly when he sings silent night. People were laughing. Overall, the movie is well acted but it is a bit too long and several scenes should have been left out (the ax scenes, part of the hanging, the little boy being returned to his real mother) and the movie would have been so much better for it I do not recommend this movie.
- 12 out of 18 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written November 21, 2008
One of the BEST movies I have seen!

by knschlabowske

I felt that this movie could have gone on for hours longer and I would have been captivated the entire time. A great flick. Instant Oscar winner!
- 9 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written November 4, 2008
The Chilling Truth

by moviemonster

This movie attests to the fact that truth is stranger than fiction. Angelina Jolie's character, a young, single mother, whose son is kidnapped, goes through a roller coaster of unbelieveable psychic injury and insult. The only thing worse than these mental, physical, and emotional assaults is the almost certain horror this character's son is likely to have experienced.

At the center of Clint Eastwood's film, Jolie shines in an uncharacteristicly subdued performance. Jolie is so gifted and interesting to watch and she has given a new twist to action hero roles, with her lithe athleticism and cool demeanor. In The Changeling, we see a quietly tormented mother who simply wants her child and life back.

Eastwood is a true master of letting a story unfurl and tell itself and, as an actor, knows how to get great performances out of every player, from bit role to leading lady.

Don't miss this excellent film.
- 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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Go
Written November 8, 2008
Good movie but not what I expected

by carriebelle1619

Very good movie, well casted, well acted, but I had not realized it would be so disturbing and frightening! I cannot easily watch scary movies and I felt very uncomfortable after watching this. I would not recommend to someone who gets scared easily, although it is essentially a movie about the mother and son, it has the plot of a serial killer attached.
- 9 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written November 8, 2008
Changeling

by crruben

Well worth the time and money to see this movie. Well directed and it showed in all the acting because nothing lacked or was over the top. With a real feel for the '20s the storyline sucked me in from the opening scene and I enjoyed every minute after.
There should be academy award talk about this movie in a couple of categories, but certainly Clint Eastwood for Best Director and Angelina Jolie for Best Actress.
- 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 25, 2008
changeling

by travis bickle

a must see. the film is a little too long, but it is absolutely worth it. clint eastwood proves once again why he is one of the best directors working today and continues to get better with each movie he directs. he has become one of the best storytellers in the industry. he also creates the music for his movies and the music is usually terrific to listen to. angelina jolie will probably get an oscar for her performance as a mother who is relentless in her pursuit of the truth in this true story. jolie plays a woman who's son has disappeared and she is unapologetic in how she goes about going to find him. this film has oscar written all over it. the score, the direction, and the brilliant acting in it elevate what may have been nothing more than a lifetime movie of the week. john malkovich deserves a mention too as a man who's mission in life is to expose a corrupt lapd. this is easily one of the year's best films and it is not to be missed.
- 16 out of 26 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written November 14, 2008
OLD FASHIONED HORROR STORY

by lugubriousthespian

Clint Eastwood is at the top of his story-telling prowess with this gripping, unbelievably true story that unfolds in L.A. circa early 1930s. Angelina Jolie surely is a best-actress Oscar contender with her amazingly heartfelt performance as a single mother who loses her son only to have the corrupt authorities who have returned the wrong child tell her she's also losing her mind! Consequently she is committed to an insane asylum where she undergoes the most horrendous ordeals while John Malkovich's Reverend character ( a nicely played good guy for once ) valiantly crusades to bring the the guilty parties to justice!

Starkly and lovingly photographed with moving performances by the stellar cast make this a worthy film of the Oscar season!
- 8 out of 11 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written November 1, 2008
Mesmerizing!

by ReelPhan

I thought this movie was fantastic. It immediately captured my attention and my interest never waned. The tempo was fast moving and the different wierd scenarios contained within the single theme of the missing son were riveting. After all, the child immediately disappears and the stage is set for all of the circumstances Angelina's character then faces. I was mesmerized by each and every scene. From the mundane stuff such as noticing the stylishly dressed working mother of the 1920's, or the overly large telephone switchboard worked by a legtion of female employees, and even the work rollerskates that allowed the supervisor to move quickl;y among the staff. Then there were the dark, dramatic scenes such as the haunting memories of young boys being slaughtered, to the interactions and hanging of the convicted criminal, to the involuntary incarceration of Angelina's character in a mental health institution with a humiliating body search to boot. Wow! Loved it all.
- 10 out of 15 found this review helpful.
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