“Changeling”: Yes, I’ve Seen It
A number of people posted comments (that I subsequently deleted) on my “Real Christine Collins” entry, saying, “Obviously, you haven’t seen the movie”, or “Maybe you should see the movie first”, and so on.
I’ve seen “Changeling”. I saw it because of my interest in the Northcott case. I watched about 10-15 minutes of clips before the limited release, and, despite my disgust with Jolie’s performance, went to see the entire film anyway. I live in an area that got the film during the “limited release”.
Now that that’s been cleared up, in addition to what I said in my original Christine Collins entry, let me say this:
Angelina Jolie cried/got teary-eyed 15 times in this film (yes, I counted). Seven of those 15 times were in the first half-hour. The movie was 140 minutes long, and that includes opening and closing credits. Jolie was not in every scene, so let’s give a fair estimate that she was in 120 minutes of the film. That means that, on average, Angelina Jolie got weepy/cried about every eight minutes.
She cried on the phone, she cried at work, she cried at the police station, she cried at the train station, she cried in the hospital, she cried in court, she cried at the hearing (it was annoying as hell)…this is NOT the behavior of a “strong, brave, courageous” woman. Strong, brave, courageous women pull themselves together and don’t constantly “lose it” in public, regardless of how devastated and grief-stricken they may be. Strong women have self-control and exercise self-restraint: They do not scream and cry hysterically at police officers, doctors, nurses, and children, no matter how frustrated, upset or overwhelmed they may feel.
I have no doubt that Christine Collins was devastated, fearful, grief-stricken, and anguished over her son’s disappearance, but the truth is that she DID NOT act out emotionally and hysterically when dealing with the authorities. Her behavior was non-emotional, composed and business-like; the LAPD actually tried to use this fact as a defense during the hearing over Christine Collins’ wrongful incarceration (as seen and heard in the film).
Just how well did she keep her composure? Going back to my “Real Christine Collins” entry, look at the second picture (the one with the frame on it). That photograph of Christine Collins was taken at San Quentin Prison, while she was waiting to speak with Gordon Stewart Northcott before his execution. Her facial expression shows her anguish, yet her stance and body language show confidence, composure, and dignity.
Those who claim that “any parent” would be hysterical, that excessive crying and emotional acting-out is the “normal” reaction of a loving mother over the disappearance of her son are of the same sexist mentality as the officers who treated Christine Collins so badly: The mentality that women are normally highly emotional and hysterical (and thus unable to be objective and logical), particularly when it comes to matters involving their children. It is neither fair nor appropriate to infer that one speaks for all parents.
Some parents express their emotions privately while maintaining a more business-like composure in public. Christine Collins was one of those parents, and Angelina Jolie failed at portraying this very significant aspect of her real-life character’s personality in “Changeling”.
Keywords: Changeling, movie, The Real Christine Collins, Northcott, Wineville Chicken Coop Murders, Walter Collins, LAPD, 1928, Angelina Jolie, Clint Eastwood, sexism, women
Maxine said,
November 20, 2008 at 1:25 am
First, I want to say I can rarely read a blog these days because some are so full of nonsense. However, I completley agree with you and nearly walked out halfway through because I coudl not take all her damn crying. Your previous blog on the “real” story was incredibly informative and appreciated.
James Jeffrey Paul said,
January 15, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Dear 2 Black Cats (I own 1 black cat myself!),
Thank you for your kind endorsement of my book, NOTHING IS STRANGE WITH YOU. I fully agree with what you said about the “real” Christine Collins’s behavior. Many parents in such a situation might feel like crying 24 hours a day, but force themselves to act in a restrained manner because to do otherwise would be counterproductive. If you really care about someone and that person is in danger, your fear/anxiety/grief would and should force you to keep your head and deal with the situation, not spend all your time emoting.
James Jeffrey Paul
Pave said,
February 27, 2009 at 5:30 am
I just commented on the original post, but I believe my comments stand as well here, and would have been better suited, in fact, to this entry. I apologise that I didn’t see this one originally to make my comments; the other comes up earlier in search results.
Tabitha Bond said,
February 28, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I apologize for the comment I left on the other part. If you’ve not read it, I basically stated that despite Christine Collin’s strong confident nature, it is no surprise that she may have acted hysterically because I believe that if anyone’s child would be missing and possibly murdered, they would act hysterically. I partly agree with you, and I apologize for posting my comment when you know FAR more about this case than I do. But, I will not apologize for what I believe to be the truth which is that just because Collins was strong, does not mean that her hurt was not visible on the outside. Maybe she cried, and maybe she did act hysterically. How would you know? You did not know her. My explaination for her acting emotionless while dealing with the LAPD was most likely simply because at that time she was angry and at that certain moment that anger was overpowering her hurt for her missing son. She was frustrated and angry that she was pretty much being called a liar. When she of all people would know her son. It hurts my hurt to think about this story; I don’t want to argue and I apologize for so boldy and bluntly, and, rudely stating my opinion on this and I did not mean to be rude.
Jennifer said,
March 8, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Too much crying?? Are you all crazy? Losing a child is a pretty sad thing. To be honest I didn’t think she came across as sad /convincing enough. I would need a straight jacket for real if I lost a child.
Kira said,
March 15, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Pardon me, but why was my comment removed?
I’ve been doing more research and have some across a letter from Mrs. Borton whom Christine lived with after all this… In it it says this:
“The mental strain she has been under has been greater than the ordinary woman could bear without breaking mentally, yet she has borne up, even triumphed over it all.
Physically, she is a nervous wreck. Unable to hold any position no matter how capable she might be mentally to hold it. Often unable to leave her bed for two or three days at a time on account of acute nervous headaches.”
Found here: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedailymirror/2008/12/voices—-ch-14.html
2blackcats said,
March 15, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Pardon me, but comments that contain personal attacks are removed.
Helen said,
March 22, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I think it would be a little hard to make a movie about an abducted, murdered child where the parent doesn’t cry. I don’t think the audience would really connect with it. Most people would be sitting there watching it going, “Why isn’t she/he sad about this?” Most people would at least get a little steamy eyed if their child went missing and the police weren’t helping.
Mari said,
June 27, 2009 at 1:21 am
I agree with the person that said that if you were in the mothers shoes you would have cried all the time too. I think even the most strongest and bravest of people have their weak moments and I am sure the real Christine Collins had her moments when she wasn’t so restrained and put together. I think Angelina Jolie is a great actress and I think she did fine job portraying the real Christine Collins. I think Angelina Jolie’s performance was criticized harshly. No one was there to confirm the real Christine Collins didn’t cry all the time, just because she didn’t cry in the pictures doesn’t mean she didn’t cry when she wasn’t being photographed. And If I am not mistaken I believe Angelina worked on this movie shortly after her mom passed away so all the crying was probably not forced or pretend – she probably couldn’t help it she was in mourning for her mom and that could have attributed to her crying so much in so many scenes.
amazie said,
September 11, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Greetings, again. I apologise for my first comment, I was unaware you actually saw the movie. I can understand why you consider the Christine Collins of the movie as a “weeper”, but I believe she was portrayed as brave because of the fact that she was willing to endure anything just to get the police to listen. She was willing to endure electric shocks; to me, that represents bravery and determination. Facing the murderer of your own child also seems to be a sing of courage, to me, anyhow, I can understand how you can be of a different opinion, and I respect that. I just want you to know that I disagree with it, and that I believe that Christine Collins in the movie was played with fierce passion. In my mind, the real Christine Collins can rest in peace…. May God bless her soul.
I want to thank you to bringing this to light… I’ll always think of Christine Collins, without any doubt whatsoever, as a strong woman, determined yet rational and logical. Thank you.
bob91 said,
September 22, 2009 at 6:04 am
your an idiot… giving your opinion of a “strong woman”… dumbass.
Christina said,
October 1, 2009 at 5:45 pm
What is wrong with crying when your son is missing?! I have a 5 year old son. I am a very strong women and if ANYTHING ever happened to my little man, I would be so emotional! To say that Christine Collins wouldn’t have cried so much is undermining the women herself. She may have cried more than the movie depicted. You were not with this person so how can you judge how the women would have reacted to such tragedy? I am not an AJ fan at all but the movie hit all the points you said it wouldn’t. I got that the suggested “try him out” meant that she would remember. That is why most people would question if you have even watched the movie. It just might be that you have a lack of comprehension and for that I am sorry, your education fails you.