Big Picture Big Sound

The Film

With just weeks until the next Oscars, Universal throws multi-nominee Changeling into the Blu-ray realm, for your consideration. However, most eyes are on Angelina Jolie, the tabloid target and Best Actress nominee. While I don’t think Jolie will walk away with this year's statue, Changeling is an extremely powerful and sad film -- as well as a long one.

Based on the actual 1928 Wineville Chicken Coop Murders, Jolie plays Christine Collins, a single mother who comes home from work, to find her only child Walter (Gattlin Griffith) has gone missing. Months go by until the police announce that they have found her son halfway across the country. However, it's not the joyful reunion one would expect. Instead, Collins instantly claims that the boy is not hers. The corrupt LAPD, fearing another scandal, try to persuade Collins, stating she is in shock, the time has lapsed, the lighting isn't right, etc. The bottom line: A mother always knows. From there, the lengthy movie unravels police corruption and the painfully sad story of what could have happened to the real Walter Collins, as well as 19 other little boys.

Director Clint Eastwood and Jolie deliver a one-two-knockout punch. As much as I hate to admit it, Jolie was very good in the role. Of course, we know all know how maternal she is. However, her sad eyes and scratchy, throaty pleas perfectly conveyed a mother living out her worst possible nightmare. Still, she does not carry the movie on her own. Eastwood surrounds her with plenty of great supporting performances in this one, most notably John Malkovich as a slightly over-the-top radio preacher, Amy Ryan as one of Collins' fellow asylum inmates, and Jason Butler Harner as aloof killer Gordon Northcott.

Check out David Kempler's review of the theatrical release of Changeling.

The Picture

Eastwood perfectly captures the time period, and the imagery in this release is nothing short of stunning. Of course, it's expected; they don't just dole out those art direction and cinematography Oscar noms to everyone. The black levels were extremely rich and often eerie, as is typical for films that take place in this time period. However, against the mostly dark look of this film are Jolie's stunning, bright lips, which really pop on this 2.40:1 transfer.

The Sound

Despite all of the drama, Changeling is not the type of movie that calls for a big, booming sound system. Universal gave the release a DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which delivers the dialogue nicely. However, it was often very low as well.

The Extras

For all of the hoopla revolving around this film, Universal sort of skimps on the extras. While it's nice that all are in high-def, that would be the sole reason to sit through any of them. A 13.5-minute featurette on how great Eastwood and Jolie work together is the definition of lame. Considering that the film is based on a true story, it seems that they dropped the ball on a completely obvious extra that might have filled out some of the story's missing pieces.

Final Thoughts

Despite the film's 142-minute runtime, Changeling is an interesting, sad tale of true crime in more ways than one. However, this is certainly not the type of movie you'd want to watch repeatedly -- unless you are a glutton for punishment. The subject matter and length are best served as a rental, but well worth your Saturday afternoon.

Where to Buy:

• Changeling on Blu-ray Disc (Amazon.com)

Product Details

• Actors: Angelina Jolie, Jeffrey Donovan, John Malkovich, Michael Kelly, Jason Butlet, Harner, Amy Ryan
• Director: Clint Eastwood
• Audio/Languages: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English), DTS 5.1 (French)
• Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
• Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
• Region: A
• Number of Discs: 1
• Rating: R
• Studio: Universal Studios
• Blu-ray Disc Release Date: February 17, 2009
• Run Time: 142 minutes
• List Price: $39.98
• Extras: 
  • Partners in Crime: Clint Eastwood and Angelina Jolie
  • The Common Thread: Angelina Jolie Becomes Christine Collins
  • Archives (U-Control)
  • Los Angeles: Then and Now (U-Control)
  • Picture in Picture (U-Control)
  • BD-Live