Changeling (2008)

This is quite possibly Clint Eastwood’s finest directorial effort since his Oscar winning Unforgiven (1992). Angelina Jolie stars as Christine Collins, whose son Walter disappears while she is out one day. Based on true events and set in Los Angeles at the time in 1928, Changeling is astonishing not just for the superior film making, but for the fact that everything you’re watching all really happened, and not only that, but Eastwood barely takes any artistic license with the story.

It’s potentially a career best performance from Jolie (she was beaten to the best actress Oscar by Kate Winslet) and John Malkovich is also on excellent form as Reverend Gustav Briegleb, who helps Christine in her quest for justice after being treated appallingly by the LAPD during the hunt for her son. The cinematography places you in Los Angeles in the prohibition era, and Eastwood’s no fuss approach to direction makes for an effectively chilling thriller. Changeling is not an easy watch, but (especially if you don’t know the story) it is absolutely gripping from start to finish. 8.6/10