Since Air New Zealand offers a variety of film choices for each passenger, I decided to catch up on some movies, including Changeling, the recent drama directed by Clint Eastwood. It is a heartrending story, almost painful to watch. The measured increase of suspense made it mesmerizing, however, as well as the authentic sets and truthful, stirring performances. Angelina Jolie was able to capture the graceful and modest bearing of a lady of the era, quite a feat of acting for a contemporary woman. After a few seconds I even forgot it was Angelina in the role of Christine Collins, an agonized young mother whose son has disappeared.
Based on a true story, the actual circumstances of little Walter's disappearance were much more grisly than shown in Changeling, which deals with the tragedy in a restrained manner; otherwise, it would have been a horror flick. It was unspeakably sad just to see the story from the mother's point of view. Sad, but not depressing, since Christine's resolve not to give up on the search for her son, in spite of extreme measures taken against her by the LAPD, is almost uplifting to watch. She refuses to exchange truth for lies at great cost to herself, and in the end is proved to be right, while those who live by lies are at last inextricably caught in their falsehoods. When the love of a mother is rooted against the most grotesque forms of evil, the love shines forth in spite of the darkness around it, and ultimately has the upper hand. At least, that is what the film said to me. Share
6 comments:
What a horrific event! The pain of the parents of such children must be unspeakable.
Yes, just too awful.
You are brave. I could not watch this one, but I could tell it was a good one from as acting standpoint the previews.
I was able to watch it only when I was headed for home. I was not able to watch it when I was headed out.
Elena - I too saw that film on a long distance flight! When you say it is painful to watch, I could not agree more. I tried twice, and twice gave up after half-an-hour. Heartbreaking would describe it to me.
I too thought Angelina Jolie's performance was an extraordinary study in motherly anguish and dignity. The reconstitution of period LA was perfect. And it was refreshing to see a cinematic male cleric (John Malkovich, great as usual) who was not a creep for a change.
But the film succeeded so well that I could not handle it. I will try again, maybe in the company of a friend, or when I feel more upbeat.
Catherine, I'm glad that you mentioned about the film showing a man of the cloth as a positive and heroic figure. But I don't blame anyone for not being able to make it through the film......
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