10.04.08
NYFF, Negative ‘Changeling’ Buzz
Clint Eastwood, most probably the most highly regarded filmmaker alive even if my fondness of his films is temperamental, in my books, makes the kind of movies that get the label ‘Oscar contenders’ before we even see so much as a still from the films, and it almost makes me want to hate them no matter what. But I usually like them, so even feigning hatred is difficult. His latest, “Changeling,” premiered at Cannes to generally positive reviews (and some really positive) but there was still some talk of him being overly-repetitive, too reliant on formulae and thematic devices he as used in the past. Of course, more often than not, they work – sometimes they even win Oscars. Well, since ‘Changeling’ was previewed for those with press credentials for the New York Film Festival, where ’Changeling’ plays this Sunday, the word has been almost uniformly negative. At first, I was quick to shrug it off as a combination of bloggers and critics suffering from festival overload and just plain snobbiness, yet the more and more things I hear about it, the less enthusiastic I am about it – never mind how I see it as an Oscar candidate. I so hope all these New Yorkers listed below are just being snobby, so I can remain hopeful that the film is as awesome as I want it to be.
The mostly negative review from Manhola Dargis, thanks to Dorothy at Inside the Gold for the tip, is just the first of many. She says, “Alas, the selection of Mr. Eastwood’s “Changeling” is nothing if not predictable and was, I’m guessing, either selected out of loyalty to a revered auteur or because it will provide a red-carpet thrill for the donors of the Film Society of Lincoln Center, which presents the festival. This fall movie season certainly looks thin, which suggests that programming pickings were slim. But “Changeling,” embalmed by Ms. Jolie’s waxworks performance and a sepulchral production design, adds no luster to Mr. Eastwood’s reputation or the festival’s. It will doubtless earn Ms. Jolie another shot at an Oscar.”
Our friends at The Playlist aren’t head over heels in love with the film either, even though they do label Jolie’s performance as “Oscar-deserving,” saying, “While it’s another stoic drama, with its graceful beats, measured tones and an Oscar-deserving performance by Angelina Jolie, “Changeling,” is also a little endlessly long, far-fetched and replete with the predictable classic Hollywood filmmaking notes that Oscar love.” The even wrote a secondary review to try and get out exactly what they were feeling. It isn’t love (check out the Clint NYFF Q&A clips Rod has there too).
Yet the most negative review of all comes from Spout-blogger Karina Longworth, who at first wondered out loud whether or not she should even bother articulating why she hates ‘Changeling’ as much as she does. Now, Karina isn’t exactly the most humble of critics, she’s definitely got that indie film-snob thing going on, nothing wrong with it, but it certainly detracts from me taking her latest review all that seriously. Until I see the film anyhow. She says, in a very wittily and sharply written way, “We drink every time Angelina hysterically proclaims, “He’s not my son!” We get very drunk, and this may be why we can’t figure out why Clint Eastwood made a cheap-looking Lifetime movie that eventually turns into an “And justice for all!” episode of SVU. Just when the drinking game is starting to get really out of control, there’s a twist so shocking that it’s punctuated by two inches of ash falling off a policeman’s cigarette … in slow motion.” Her review is so short and to the point I’d like to quote it all, but I won’t.
The Envelope has some new pics from the film, so does Rope of Silicon but they are both too mean to allow you to actually save the images that it is essentially USELESS to post them at all. Bitches. EW has a new clip from the film too.
Update. Nat Rogers weighs in with the most well-rounded review of the bunch, he’s not taken with the film either, but he at least makes it clear why not. “Changeling’s title accurately reflects its early creepy child switch and its relentlessly mediocre shift from melodrama to true crime story. A better more disciplined film would have earned that title in a more ambitious way. It’s a shame that there’s so little real fluidity, few emotional surprises and no transformative character arcs within the sprawling story.” As for its Oscar chances, “I’ll say this: It’s a good bet for Angie, costumes and art direction. The rest will be tougher going. Of the supporting cast only John Malkovich and Jason Butler Harner are feasible and they’re longshots at best and only in the race if voters go wild for the picture as a whole.”
Shrugs. I just don’t know what to think anymore. Maybe Karina’s drinking game isn’t such a bad idea after all.
J.D. said,
October 5, 2008 at 12:57 am
What do I think? Alright. Critics aren’t me, so.
Do I still want to see it? Hell yes. I love everything, so.
Will it win Oscars? Memoirs of a Geisha won Oscars, so.
Does it even matter? If if didn’t, we’d be out of a job, SO…
Nick Plowman said,
October 5, 2008 at 10:55 am
I just don’t care if it will win Oscars at this point in time, I’m just hoping it will be good. I updated the post with Nat Rogers review, and he says we shouldn’t give up hope on the prospects of Angie getting nominated for Best Actress and stuff, so there is hope. Thank goodness.
Jerry said,
October 5, 2008 at 11:01 am
You know, most of those critics, except Dargis, are a nuch of whiny little bloggers and I don’t give a damn what they think really. Its no surprise in the slightest that they aren’t into Changeling. I still want to see it badly despite them.
Salmaya said,
October 5, 2008 at 11:06 am
I’m sorry, but I smell a whole lot of bias coming from those reviews. I mean, I know Rogers aint down with the Clint, Karina is a snob, Manhola’s review ain’t all that in depth, The Playlist had to write two reviews just to articulate their disdain, I really don’t care what they think, just like JD. Its all about the movie to me, and I think it looks fabulous.
Dave said,
October 5, 2008 at 11:09 am
I’ll be seeing this tonight, and I remain hopeful. The trailer was great, the script was meh, the advance buzz is crap but I am a Clint fan through and through, so I hope he doesn’t fail me. [I doubt he will]
Kerry said,
October 5, 2008 at 11:14 am
You know I saw this at Cannes, and if you want to know what I thought about it, that Cinematical review pretty much sums it up – I loved it, even though I understand [sort of] why these guys don’t.
Gonzalo said,
October 5, 2008 at 11:20 am
I’m not interested in this film in the slightest, Eastwood needs to just let go of his need for more bloody Oscars and get on with his life. I cant sit through another film of his again.
Guy Lodge said,
October 5, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Dargis wrote a fuller review back in May, citing an “unlived in” screenplay, a “difficult, one-dimensional” protagonist and Jolie’s essential miscasting:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/21/movies/21dargis.html?_r=1&oref=slogin#
The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw was none too impressed, either:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/may/21/cannesfilmfestival.festivals3
I have no idea what to expect from the film at this point. I did quite like the trailer, but some of those clips are so histrionic — I can see how I might fall into Longworth’s camp. It doesn’t help me that I’m pretty agnostic on Jolie as an actress — if her performance here is as overwrought and surface-level as her work in “A Mighty Heart,” I’m going to struggle.
Nick Plowman said,
October 5, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Oh yes, I forgot about that review, oops. It’s been long…
But I agree with you, I have absolutely no fraking idea how I’m going to take the film. I was ready to accept that it will be great – I liked the trailer, and I have not checked out the clips. I actually thought Jolie was great in A Mighty Heart even if the film bored me to tears. I want to remain optimistic because I like Jolie a lot, as an actress anyway, but I’m finding it really hard.
Sam Juliano said,
October 6, 2008 at 7:28 am
People, don’t jump the gun.
I saw THE CHANGELING tonite at the Ziegfeld as part of the NYFF and while I gave it 3 and a half out of 5at the top of my review and I was distinctly underwhelmed by its lack of depth. Dargis is a great great critic, but she may have been too down on it, but she makes a number of points I must concur with.
Dave said,
October 6, 2008 at 10:51 pm
I liked it as much as you did Sam, saw it at the same time as you and everything. It wasnt AWFUL, but it wasn’t great or even close.
Sam Juliano said,
October 7, 2008 at 1:03 am
Nice to be on the same page with you Dave.