amazing old style film.

Rating: 9/10 (2 January 2009)

Set in L.A in 1928 this is the true story of the mysterious disappearance of Walter Collins and the never ending journey of his mother Christine to find him and bring him home. One Saturday morning Christine says goodbye to her son and leaves for work. When she returns hours later she finds no sign of her son and the food she left for him remains untouched. She calls the police who inform her that she must wait 24 hours before filing a missing child report. A day later she does so but over the next few months despite her search she receives no new on her son. Then out of the blue a boy comes forward claiming to be her son. The police reunite them but she is devastated when she's sees the boy and realizes it isn't her son. She keeps telling the corrupt policemen that it isn't her son but they just keep trying to convince her it is Walter. When she finally goes to the press to tell her story the police have her placed in a psychiatric home, claiming that her unwillingness to accept this new child as her son means she is paranoid. Fortunately a local reverend continues working outside to have her freed. Then when a young boy comes forward admitting that he and his cousin killed about 20 young boys, including Walter Christine is released but since the remains couldn't be identified she continues the search for her son, who is being presumed dead by police. She also balances two court cases. One is the case against the man charged with killing the group of boys and the other is the case investigated how Christine was treated by the police while searching for Walter. After the cases she seems to have moved on from this part of her life but it becomes clear that she will never stop the search for her son, despite all the evidence to suggest that he is already dead. This is a stunning and unmissable film following one of the most interesting true stories I have ever heard. Possibly one of the best films of the year. Clint Eastwood continues to show he is just as good behind the camera as he is in front of it. He has been behind some amazing films in the past few years including Mystic River, Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby but this film will probably be the one which people will watch to remember how brilliant his directorial career was. He perfectly captures 1920's America and every change and emotion that the character experiences. He captured Christine Collins' change from loving and devoted to desperate, determined and defiant and it really is a beautifully directed film. Angelina Jolie gives one of her careers best performances and I would be very surprised if she doesn't win an Oscar for her display here as it is one of the best I have seen this year. She gives a truly phenomenal performance as Christine Collins and it is her best performance since Girl, Interrupted. She stole the show completely and few of the supporting cast managed to make an impact whilst sharing screen time with her. John Malcovich has never been my favorite actor but I thought he was fantastic in this. I have never actually seen him give a performance I liked until Burn After Reading so I guess in the past few months he has been better, in my opinion at least. I also liked Michael Kelly in this film. He wasn't exactly amazing but I really liked his character and I thought he showed a lot more emotion and determination than the rest of the police force. That was kind of the point but I liked him more for it. Jason Butler Harner was the last cast member who I liked. He gave an outstanding performance as murderous psychopath Gordon Northcott. It's never easy to play the bad guy, especially this kind. His character has to be chillingly terrifying and hated but at the same time must have a sense of innocence must gain the sympathy of the audience. This is a very tough thing to accomplish but he pulled it off brilliantly and It think his performance is unfairly overshadowed by Jolie's. So all in all this is a very impressive film. Is one of my favorite films of the year. It can drag out a little bit at times but it makes up for it when it gets moving again. It is a dark, tragic, haunting and gripping story which has been brilliantly adapted by Clint Eastwood, who has manged to make it just like the story (dark, tragic etc.). The director and the display of the whole cast make this one of the most powerful and moving films of the year and an absolute must-see.