Very good drama with suspense, based on real events

Rating: 7/10 (13 March 2010)

Recap: A mother, Christine Collins, stands before a horrible situation, her child, Walter, is missing. But after a few weeks of dread, the police says they found him. But at first sight, Christine knows that the boy that is returned to her is not her son. The police insists he is, and calls her delusional. The thing is, the police department is corrupt and needs a story to cover their deficiencies. If it would turn out that the boy isn't Christine's son, it would be very embarrassing. Christine continues to fight the police to continue their search, and the police throws her in a psychiatric ward to protect themselves. Fortunately Christine has allies, a reverend that has criticized the police, and rescues her. And eventually the police get a lead that may give them the truth.
Comments: Based on a real story, it is hard to imagine how it would be to really experience a nightmare like that. As a movie it is interesting and quite suspenseful, especially if you don't know the real case by heart. It is well acted and directed, with a cast spearheaded by Angelina Jolie, a role she was nominated for an Oscar for. It is a little typical role, in a typical movie that plays well at the Oscars, but her performance is very good. She also got a good support from mostly Jeffrey Donovan as her characters opponent.
It is rather slow in its pace, and seems to be pretty true to actual events, anyway it is very plausible. But it keeps an edge throughout the movie that keeps interest, it is hard to look away from. There is always something small, but maybe important, happening. And it is a very captivating story.
Credit is due to Straczynski, the writer who has turned this real story to a good movie, supposedly from actual records from police and trial. Credit is also due to Clint Eastwood whom with his directing has converted the screenplay into a very good movie.
But to be a top movie for me, it is in the wrong genre. It is not lacking much as a drama, but as a superior movie I need elements from other genres as well.
7/10