November 7th, 2008

Chances are you’ve seen Angelina Jolie scream “I want MY son back” in the trailers for Clint Eastwood’s “Changeling” opening last Friday, but there’s much much more to this harrowing tale based on a true story. 

In 1928 Los Angeles, Christine Collin’s (Jolie) son, Walter, disappears from their home. She desperately searches for him and five months later the police bring back her son in a media-glitzed, self-congratulatory reunion. 

The boy the police brought back from DeKalb, Illinois, however, was not her son. He was three inches shorter than Walter, was circumcised, had different dental records, and was not recognized by Walter’s teacher and classmates. 

The police, in an ignorant attempt to look good in front of the media, refused to listen to Christine and ultimately had her thrown into the mental ward along with other women who violated Code 12 (meaning they dared to challenge the police).   

Meanwhile, the story shifts to a different case that ties back into what may have happened to her son while dishing up a strong, emotional commentary on capital punishment.  

Despite the many commentaries on child abduction, police corruption, and capital punishment that contribute to an exhaustive 140 minutes, Eastwood successfully reigns in the story by filtering it through Christine’s strong but emotional perspective. 

Her strong delivery in acting as a mother who is falsely accused and abused by the police while maintaining her hope that her son will return to her one day is both believable and incredibly provoking. She makes you want to cry with her but also root for her in her maverick ways. 

While “Changeling” is reminiscent of “Chinatown” with the noir-like jazz soundtrack, cinematography and flapper fashion, Eastwood doesn’t get caught up in the glamour and mystery of Los Angeles in the 20s and 30s. 

The film is more of a character study and social commentary where Eastwood’s not afraid to tell the story how it is, such as in his unwavering depictions in the scenes of a hanging and brutal killings. 

I only wish the great John Malkovich who co-stars in an under-used role as a radio preacher fighting against police corruption who took up Christine’s cause would have had a bigger role.  

“Changeling,” like Eastwood’s previous films such as “Million Dollar Baby,” is a must-see film but one you may not want to see over and over again because of the emotionally exhausted mood it will leave you in.

Michael Crichton, the best-selling novelist and creator of the hit TV series, “ER,” has succumbed to a private battle with brain cancer. He was 66 years old. Crichton was a graduate of Harvard University who paid his way through medical school by writing mind blowing fiction.

He was as prolific an author as any in recent times, blending science with big theatrical concepts to create masterworks. His most well known book is Jurassic Park, which was followed by the equally brilliant Lost World and developed into epic thrillers directed by his close friend, Steven Spielberg.

Every one has a favorite Crichton thriller. My personal favorite is Rising Sun (which was adapted into a successful movie starring Wesley Snipes and Sean Connery). But it’s so hard to narrow it down to one book: Airframe, Disclosure, and State of Fear are all seminal works by Crichton, addressing social and scientific concerns.

He will be missed by both the writing and entertainment communities. Lesser known, but equally admirable, was his screenwriting contribution to the highly successful film, “Twister.” R.I.P. Michael, we’ve surely lost a great talent and wonderful human being.