Friday, April 24, 2009

Changeling

Another great movie directed by Clint Eastwood. At this point, Eastwood has become one of my favorite directors.

I used to be ambivalent about him. On the one hand, he used to be incredibly handsome, with a roughness about him that added to his masculinity. On the other, he used to play the tough cowboy in countless Italian spaghetti-westerns, which I hated but my brother loved.

I actually don't recall seeing any of his Dirty Harry movies because of how much I despised his western roles. I understand though that they are supposedly quite good, so someday I'll watch them.

At any rate, Eastwood has now become the kind of director that whatever he makes, I must watch.

In Changeling he tells the true story of a woman who must find in herself the strength to fight a system that is in no rush to find her missing son.

Angelina Jolie turns in an Oscar worthy performance (she earned her second nomination for the role) and is supported by a worthy group of supporting actors.

The cinematography, editing and score are all very good, and a special nod goes to the art direction/set decoration and costume departments, both of which did a superb job or recreating an early 20th century Los Angeles.

Watching this movie is like watching a moving postcard. Absolutely beautiful.

Grade: 8

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