A minor misstep for Eastwood

"Changeling"
Starring: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Amy Ryan
**.5/****

Clint Eastwood's latest film is a dark period piece commentating on the corruption of the LA Police in the late 20's in Los Angeles. The film mirrors other good police noir's like "L.A. Confidential," and "Chinatown." The film is also a showcase for Angelina Jolie, in what could land her an Oscar nomination later in the year. Other than Jolie's solid performance, the film relies on hand me down cliches not amounting to the greatness that Eastwood has crafted with his last handful of films.

Jolie plays switchboard supervisor Christine Collins. She lives with her young son Walter in a nice home in Los Angeles. One day Collins is unexpectedly called into work, with no one to look after Walter. She returns home, and Walter's lunch still remains in the fridge. Has the kid been stolen or is he simple lost around town?

Months later, the L.A. Police returns a child that looks very similar to Walter, except it isn't him. Collins struggles to explain that the child isn't Walter, but the FBI won't admit there mistake. Collins is soon admitted to a psychiatric ward where she undergoes bad treatment. A fiery pastor played by John Malkovich seems like one of the only decent and honest men in town as he devotes his radio show towards uncovering the FBI's corruption.

The film tries to portray the corruption as harsh, menacing, and cruel. A standard audience will fail to see that Eastwood gives no character depth to the crooked cops, yet we see them as villains and nothing more.

Around and around we go as Collins struggles and struggles, etc. The film also plays in other scenarios as murder mystery, court-room drama, as well as the previous hospital scenes already mentioned. Eastwood tries too hard to tell this story, the drama is heavy-handed and overbearing. The audience isn't given enough respect or time to breathe.

"Changeling" is a long 140 minutes, but there are some redeeming qualities. Eastwood creates a great looking 1920's darkly lit city, the set design is crucial in creating mood and atmosphere. Jolie and Malkovich in their respective roles. The film just fails to add humanity throughout, creating a less than pleasurable experience.