Oscar Watch 12.0

As they say in sports, it's almost time for the "talking to stop and the game to begin!" The Oscars are here in a little more than a day. I am proud of my "movies seen" record. It always occurs to me that I may see more nominated films than those who actually cast a vote, since seeing the movie is not actually required before the voting. The injustice! Oh well...

When you sit down to watch a Clint Eastwood film, you can guarantee it won't be a dull experience. His string of recent directorial marvels includes "Mystic River" and "Gran Torino." (That latter film is tough, raw, edgy, and highly emotional. Although not nominated, it is something to see and discuss.) He owns two Academy Awards for directing "Unforgiven" and "Million Dollar Baby." While I may personally not like those films, I won't disagree that they are powerful pieces of work.

In his film "Changeling" he creates another dark, gritty story and Angelina Jolie anchors it with one of her strongest performances ever. She is such a big movie star, sometimes I think her awesome acting chops get overlooked - and then she does work like this to remind everyone. (Should I recuse myself from review? Because my admiration for her is hard to put into words. I think she's talented beyond belief and her strange quirkiness only adds to her charm. I love her big, sprawling, ecclectic family and find her beauty mesmerizing. She is considered a bit of a hero, if you will. I'll attempt to regain some neutrality...)

Her work is the film's sole big-category nomination as Best Actress. She plays Christine Collins, a single mother in the 1920's whose son, Walter, disappears one evening from their California home. The perpetually corrupt LAPD brings her a boy and claims victory in the reunion - but this boy is not Walter. And when Christine tells them so, they go to devious and terrible lengths in their treatment of her to defend their (dis)honorable reputation.

This is a crime drama wrapped in an emotional saga of pain and justice. The look of the picture is unquestionably remarkable, the story is strong and all the supporting players near-perfect. But Angelina Jolie is what you will remember after the credits roll. Her love and determination tears at you through the screen. This film is based on true events and you have to think, were the real Christine Collins alive, she would approve of Ms. Jolie's delicate, nuanced portrayal of her courageous fight.

As per usual, Clint Eastwood has fashioned an emotionally difficult picture through which to sit. But, also true to form, it pays off in spades. "Changeling" is worth a rental. Angelina Jolie could very will win an Oscar for this role. I don't know if that will happen this year, but her nomination is certainly well-earned.