Changeling is a 2008 American drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by J. Michael Straczynski.Changeling explores female disempowerment, political corruption¹, child endangerment, and the repercussions² of violence. Ron Howard intended to direct, but scheduling conflicts led to his replacement³ by Eastwood. Howard and his Imagine Entertainment partner Brian Grazer produced Changeling alongside Malpaso Productions' Robert Lorenz and Eastwood. Universal Pictures financed and distributed the film.

 

Inspired by actual events that occurred in 1920s-era Los Angeles, Clint Eastwood's The Changeling tells the story of a woman driven to confront a corrupted⁴ LAPD after her abducted⁵ son is retrieved⁶ and she begins to suspect that the boy returned to her is not the same boy she gave birth to. The year was 1928, and the setting a working-class suburb of Los Angeles. As Christine (Angelina Jolie) said goodbye to her son, Walter, and departed for work, she never anticipated that this was the day her life would be forever changed. Upon returning home, Christine was distressed⁷ to discover that Walter was nowhere to be found. Over the course of the following months, the desperate mother would launch a search that would ultimately prove fruitless. Yet just when it seemed that all hope was lost, a nine-year-old boy claiming to be Christine's son seemed to appear out of thin air. Overcome with emotions and uncertain how to face the authorities or the press, Christine invites the child to stay in her home despite knowing without a doubt that he is not her son. As much as Christine would like to accept the fact that her son has been returned to her, she cannot accept the injustice⁸ being pushed upon her and continues to challenge the Prohibition-era Los Angeles police force at every turn. As a result, Christine is slandered⁹ by the powers that be, and painted as an unfit mother. In this town, a woman who challenges the system is putting her life on the line, and as the situation grows desperate, the only person willing to aid her in her search is benevolent¹⁰ local activist¹¹ Reverend Briegleb (John Malkovich).

 

After hearing about the case from a contact at Los Angeles City Hall, Straczynski spent a year researching the historical record. He said he drew 95% of the script from around 6,000 pages of documentation. The shooting script was Straczynski's first draft and his first produced film screenplay. Several actors campaigned for the lead; Eastwood cast Jolie partly because he felt her face fit the period setting. The film also stars Jeffrey Donovan, Jason Butler Harner, John Malkovich, Michael Kelly, and Amy Ryan. Most of the characters were based on real life people, while some were composites. Principal photography began on October 15, 2007, and concluded in December 2007; filming took place in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. Eastwood's low-key direction led actors and crew to note the calmness of the set and the short working days. In post-production, scenes were supplemented with computer-generated skylines, backgrounds, vehicles and people.

 

Changeling premiered at the 61st Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2008, to critical acclaim¹². Further festival appearances preceded a limited release in the United States on October 24, 2008. The film opened in general release in North America on October 31, 2008, in the United Kingdom on November 26, 2008, and in Australia on February 5, 2009.

 

The film earned $113 million in box office revenue worldwide, of which $35.7 million was earned in the United States and Canada.

 

Changeling was nominated for three Academy Awards in 2009, including Best Actress in a Leading Role (Angelina Jolie), Best Art Direction (James Murakami, Gary Fettis) and Best Cinematography (Tom Stern).

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