Recently saw these two films, and I must admit I was not too enthused about watching them. Boy, was I wrong! Clint Eastwood will always be "Dirty Harry" or a "western" hero. Watching Changeling and Gran Torino have forever changed my perception of this fine actor/director. First, Changeling. Based on a true story that occurred in late 1920s Los Angeles, Angelina Jolie portrays Christine Collins, a single mother. The love of her life is her son, Walter. But being she is a working mother, work sometimes has to come before spending recreational time with her son. A promise of going to the movies the following day is made, and she is off to work to cover for another worker. She comes home to an empty house; searches the neighborhood to no avail. Walter is missing. She calls the police department, which informs her that they cannot do anything for 24 hours. She is persistent in wanting the police to help her. Of course, this is during a time when corruption was rampant in the L.A.P.D. Eventually, she is reunited with her son...or is it? As the film's trailer shows, she utters the infamous line, "That's not my son." She is given a child who is shorter and quite rude than her beloved Walter. The trials and tribulations she endures in the pursuit of justice makes one think how this could happen in our own country. Apparently Walter was kidnapped by a deranged man who killed boys. This man is captured and justice is severe with him. He never admitted to hurting Walter. It seems that one of the boys who was lucky to escape mentioned that Walter helped him escape. Walter survived? We'll never know, but as as Christine Collins believes, she has hope. The film is amazing showing the angst of a mother in search of a lost one. It is a pain that I think only a mother can endure and suffer. Angelina Jolie gave an Oscar worthy performance. She is adept in portraying dramatic roles alongside her other "action packed" characters. I'm pretty sure that her own feelings of motherhood helped her in the portrayal of Christine Collins. Hopefully Hollywood can offer her future dramatic roles where she can really shine.
The other feature, Gran Torino, stars Clint Eastwood as a bitter old curmudgeon, Walt Kowalski, who has become a widower. His oldest son, his wife and kids are just horrid. They seem to be interested what they will be getting when he dies. Walt lives in an old neighborhood where he is the only "American" left. The neighborhood's primary residents are Hmong...an ethnic people from China, Laos and Vietnam. They are very family oriented and strict with their religious beliefs and culture. Yet, they can assimilate- pursuing higher education or becoming gang members. Walt is very prejudiced and angry at the world. His stint during the Korean War aided to this negative world view. The film's dialogue is a politically incorrect litany of racial slurs. Think of a hard core Archie Bunker. Through some interesting encounters, Walt somehow becomes a friend and protector of his Hmong neighbors. Sue befriends him- she's just as American as Walt, much to his reluctance. She is witty enough to reply to Walt's slurs. Her brother, Thao, is more timid and quiet. There is no father figure; he lives in a matriarchal home. Thao and Walt eventually form a unique friendship. The title of film refers to Walt's classic Ford Gran Torino, made in 1972. It looks as if it came off the showroom floor. Nobody but Walt touches this car.
As the story continues, Walt discovers that these foreigners are more family than his family. But he won't admit that. He does have a heart and the thing he does demonstrates his love for his neighbors and the wrongs he did. As I alluded to at the start, I was not much of an Eastwood fan. But these two films have converted me into one. Entertaining films that were also social commentaries. I am looking forward to more Eastwood films!
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