Angelina Jolie has Changed....

Rating: 8/10 (25 November 2008)

Clint Eastwood has mastered another very intelligent, captivating piece of cinema. Again, his style is as potent as ever with his use of colors, sharp editing, and shading contrasts. The story is as crisp as any but needs some heavy lifting to get off the ground. Angelina Jolie is the answer to that problem in her most powerful portrayal to date, Ms. Jolie is absolutely incredible.
John Malkovich's role doesn't demand much of him rather than a few intense faces but as always, he's the dependable actor. Jason Butler Harner takes on the "villain" role and utterly transforms it a la Jackie Earle Haley in Little Children.
The rest of the cast is great especially Jeffrey Donovan who shackles the corrupt cop role and takes on arrogance and certainty to a new level.
Script. OK. Story. Not bad. Direction. Seen better from Eastwood. Oscar worthy? Maybe just for Jolie.
***/****