Changeling
Changeling Image
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Metascore
63 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 120 Ratings

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  • Starring: Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore
  • Summary: Los Angeles, 1928: On a Saturday morning in a working-class suburb, Christine said goodbye to her son, Walter, and left for work. When she came home, she discovered he had vanished. A fruitless search ensues, and months later, a boy claiming to be the nine-year-old is returned. Dazed by the swirl of cops, reporters and her conflicted emotions, Christine allows him to stay overnight. But in her heart, she knows he is not Walter. As she pushes authorities to keep looking, she learns that in Prohibition-era L.A., women don't challenge the system and live to tell their story. Slandered as delusional and unfit, Christine finds an ally in activist Reverend Briegleb, who helps her fight the city to look for her missing boy. Based on the actual incident that rocked California's legal system, Changeling tells the shocking tale of a mother's quest to find her son, and those who won't stop until they silence her. (Universal Pictures)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 38
  3. Negative: 3 out of 38
  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    100
    A disturbing film about grim subject matter, but the overall experience is more exhilarating than saddening. There's just something satisfying about seeing a movie so well made.
  2. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Pete Vonder Haar
    80
    Changeling is an almost universally impressive all-around effort, and is the best "dirty underbelly of Los Angeles" movie since "L.A. Confidential."
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    60
    The script is compelling, the direction confident, the production values professional. But it does not, in the end, feel real.
  4. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    38
    A brazen title card declares this " true story." (Wow, not even "based on.") However many facts may be accurate, the movie feels contrived, with climax piled upon climax.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 47
  3. Negative: 8 out of 47
  1. TommyBoy
    10
    Finally, a movie worth seeing. Jolie should be a contender for best actress for her performance in this excellent Clint Eastwood directed thriller. Also John Malkovich would be my choice, hands down, for best supporting actor. He is so great in every movie he has been in. The movie runs 2 hours 20 minutes and holds your interest from beginning to end. A thriller/drama based on a true story from a happening in L.A. California in 1929-30. (Where do they find so many of the automobiles from that period). The directing, the flash backs, the dialog...the story holds your total interest for the entire length of this movie. Time and money well worth spent.… Expand
  2. DanaM.
    8
    Well worth seeing on the big screen. Remarkable how Clint was able to recreate 1920's Los Angeles. Superb acting by all ( well maybe average acting by the LA Police Captain with the forced Irish brogue). Angelina was excellent although the red lipstick on her oversized lips was a little much. Go see it... the story is worth experiencing.… Expand
  3. TF
    6
    Not as good as I thought it would be. The story is very compelling, but there is no way Jolie's performance should have been nominated for an Oscar.… Expand
  4. Hollyp.
    4
    I felt like Eastwood missed an opportunity to emotionally include viewers. Albeit an unbelievable story, I never felt convinced that Jolie�39;s character was distraught over losing her son, beyond the occasional outburst, "I WANT MY SON BACK!" I never felt like I understood what it must have felt like to lose a child. The film spent too much time on the details of mother vs LAPD and lacked development of the emotionality of the situation. For example, in Million Dollar Baby, when Hilary Swank's character gets sucker-punched, we all felt sucker-punched.I felt like I was watching this story take place from the bleachers, which was unexpected coming from Eastwood. And BTW John Malcovich gave the only award-deserving performance.… Expand

See all 47 User Reviews

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