Iffy for 16+
Suspenseful, overlong drama isn't meant for kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this 1920s-set drama recounts real-life events that could be quite disturbing to children and young teens. It examines the disappearance of a young boy who was likely murdered; some upsetting scenes show what might have been his ghastly misfortune. There are some gory images, and wrongfully imprisoned women are treated very badly in a psych ward. Authority figures are unreliable and commit betrayals, and there's some mild swearing (including a few uses of "f--k") and period-accurate smoking.
- Families can talk about the movie's messages. What does it say about people in positions of authority? Is the implication that all such people are unreliable, or just the characters in the movie? Why do you think Christine was betrayed the way she was? Do you think something like this could happen today? How would you characterize director Clint Eastwood's approach to telling this story? Families can also discuss the film's accuracy. Why might filmmakers bend the truth when making a movie based on real life? How could you find out more about Christine's case if you wanted to?
The good stuff
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Messages: A serial killer is on the loose, but nobody discovers his grisly misdeeds until it's far too late and many lives have been lost. A mother is clearly loving but leaves her 9-year-old alone in the house when a work emergency arises. Corrupt cops take advantage of defenseless women. Ultimately, a defenseless woman manages to tap into a deep well of courage and seeks justice. There's a very loving, close mother-son relationship.
What to watch for
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Violence: A few gory moments, including one scene in which a murderer has blood spattered on his face, presumably because he's in the middle of a heinous crime. Women are wrongfully imprisoned in a psych ward, where they're physically forced to take medication, asked to sign documents incriminating themselves, slapped and dragged, and given electroshock therapy for insubordination. A confession scene includes stomach-turning images and descriptions. Machine guns are fired. An execution by hanging is shown from beginning to end. Loud confrontations between a criminal and the mother of one of his victims.
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Sex: Mild flirting.
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Language: Mostly tame, with words like "damn" and "hell," though the words "son of a bitch" and "f--k" are used in a few instances.
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Consumerism: Brands and signage for Pacific Telephone & Telegraph, Bummy's Diner, KGF News Radio, Colgate, and more.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Lots of period-accurate smoking. Some characters are forced to take tranquilizers against their will.
Fan Reviews provided by
1
HORRIFYING......READ THIS REVIEW BEFORE YOU SEE THIS MOVIE by 6474
If you are at all affected by graphic scenes of brutal murder and torture, DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT SEEING CHANGELING. I AM WARNING YOU. I love powerful dramas, even with a little violence, but THIS MOVIE IS HORRIFYING. My family and I walked out after the first hour....We couldn't take it anymore. I was closing my eyes half of the time and was still scared out of my mind. I suppose Angelina Jolie's acting wasn't bad, but THIS MOVIE IS NOT ONLY ABOUT HER STRUGGLE. Changeling describes IN DETAIL USING GRAPHIC FLASH BACKS,the murders of TWENTY CHILDREN and THEIR horrific struggle to stay alive. I WILLL REPEAT MYSELF. DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 14, or IF YOU ARE AFFECTED IN ANY WAY BY GRAPHIC SCENES OF CHILD MURDER!!!!
5
Beautiful, Beautiful Film by pac8864
I think it's apparent that this film is going to do extremely well and that there is big talk of Oscar nods, so i only have a statement in regards to the reviewers claiming that the movie was "too long." Going into the movie, and knowing it was going to be near 2 and a half hours long, I made sure to pay attention to audience reactions and involvement throughout. I must say that throughout the whole 2 1/2 hours, the audience was so involved and so captivated by each moment that there were groans, moans, laughter, gasps, and most importantly REACTION. What movie can you nowadays walk into and hear passionate reactions as a whole from an audience? (other than an obvious comedy). I think Eastwood has succeeded with this film; to be able to evoke such emotion and reaction from an audience is truly admirable.
5
A great movie that kept me glued to my seat for all 2 hours plus and I'd have sat for another 2 by Dark_Chameleon
This is a great movie, I could stop there and you'd get the idea but this reallyis a great movie for all its parts, the actors dropped you straight into the story line, Jolie was not her sexy sultry self because the character would have suffered if she had been, the direction was oscar worthy as well as mrs pitts.
I'd go again and buy the DVD when it eventually comes out without hesitation, the smaller part actors were picked with perfection to never take your mind away from the storyline, at no time did I feel that even one actor reminded me this was a period piece.
Some have said being 2 plus hours long made this suffer or the story could have been told in half that time but if your going to the movies to watch a story then this is the story to watch, its not just taking you from the start to the end in as short a time as it wold take to get you there but telling a full story where in the end you feel you have been presented the best detailed description possible A grade
1
Beware! Horror Movie! by wargames5555
Changeling is labeled mystery/suspense which it is not. It is a drama/horror movie. This movie was so graphic and violent and I am afraid I will never get the images out of my mind of the children being murdered with an ax and their precious blood being sprayed all over the murderer. Also, hearing the children scream and cry in the chicken coop and call out for their mothers just tore my heart to pieces. I had terrible nightmares all last night. I have three children and this is just not a movie for parents or at least they should be warned! Also, the hanging scene borders on comedic and should have been edited particularly when he sings silent night. People were laughing. Overall, the movie is well acted but it is a bit too long and several scenes should have been left out (the ax scenes, part of the hanging, the little boy being returned to his real mother) and the movie would have been so much better for it I do not recommend this movie.
4
Changeling by MikeS3333
I was unaware of the story before seeing this movie.
I found this movie to be provocative and disturbing. Normally a 2:20 minute movie would be way too long for me but not in this case. Eastwood and the Actors did a good job.
5
Intense Story! by mandaartist
I went into this film with much anticipation - and I was not let down! The story was very emotional and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! It had me questioning what was real, who was crazy, and who was telling the truth. This is not a "feel good" movie, but it is definitely one everyone should see. Great acting - great movie!
4
Beautiful, but a bit scattershot. by hpanic7342
Changeling is impeccably acted and gorgeously shot. Many times I found myself simply admiring the editing rhythms in a particular sequence or marveling at the composition of specific shots. That said, the screenplay had some problems; this felt like four movies mashed together into one. Any one of those four probably would have made for a great film, but together they felt like the material wasn't getting its proper emotional due. Of course, the story is so chaotic that perhaps this was the right way to approach the material, but those who like their movies as simple as possible (I don't mean "simple" in a bad way here) will find a frustrating film with nonetheless impeccable technical merit.
3
Material was horrifying! Ruined the story with overacting! Wait for the DVD by moviefanwith3kids
While the movie itself was a heartwrenching based on true story picture, the acting was so overdramatized it took away from the scenes.
It should have made me cry. I cry at sad commercials and this was defiantely a story that is so horrendously painful it should bring tears to your eyes. Yet I did not. The only reason I can think of is that the acting was not up to par. Jolie overacted so much that you had a hard time believeing her. I would wait for it to come out on DVD. Just not worth the price of a moivie ticket
5
One of the BEST movies I have seen! by knschlabowske
I felt that this movie could have gone on for hours longer and I would have been captivated the entire time. A great flick. Instant Oscar winner!
5
Changeling by crruben
Well worth the time and money to see this movie. Well directed and it showed in all the acting because nothing lacked or was over the top. With a real feel for the '20s the storyline sucked me in from the opening scene and I enjoyed every minute after.
There should be academy award talk about this movie in a couple of categories, but certainly Clint Eastwood for Best Director and Angelina Jolie for Best Actress.