This is a great looking period film. Beautiful cinematography -- and I love the 1920's cars. Even at just over two hours it's edited rather well and keeps moving. That said, I'd have cut some of the "mental institution" sequences -- they really started to drive me nuts (no doubt, their point exactly). Which reminds me, if you like seeing Jolie institutionalized, check out Girl, Interrupted -- good film.

Changeling opens with this caption "A True Story." That stuck out to me, didn't say "Inspired by" or "Based on" … simply "A True Story." I don't know what that means, only that, had they not made mention, I'm sure I'd be yelling at the screen: "That's redicious" or "That'd never happened that way" or "I'm not buying it." My true story is that I thought those things despite the caption.

Good performances by all involved -- not just Jolie. Strong direction too. Still, the main character's frustrations are communicated all too well to the viewer; so if you like to be annoyed, you'll love the first half of the film. From being to end, filmmakers takes drama right up to the edge of melodrama, but still maintain integrity -- until the very last line of the film. Unfortunately, that false, misfitting, last line of dialogue uttered by Jolie's character belies the story's tone with an uninspired attempt to end on a greeting card upswing. It casts away much well-earned cinematic respect in a whispered moment.

Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony