Flappers, freaks and fake kids.

"CHANGELING"-Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich Director: Clint Eastwood


SEE.


So, if it walks like a duck; talks like a duck; looks like a duck; and the L.A.P.D. tells you it's a duck, well, it's probably a viper. Look, no organization is all bad. In Hollywood, however, the L.A.P.D. is the premiere villain. Even if there's one good cop in the force, the barrel is portrayed as rotten. When you see "Changeling" and note with incredulity the sheer balls of a police department that would return the wrong child to a distraught mother and then accuse her of being a bad mother because she won't accept the child as her own, you may side with Hollywood. 1928. It doesn't seem that long ago, does it? Blacks got lynched; men beat women to keep them in line; and the police lied. (Thank goodness times have changed.)



Apparently, the police didn't just lie. Lying is for criminals. The police told elaborate fairytales. Something like, "Hey, Sweetheart, this kid we shipped in from Illinois is your kid even if a)his dental records are different; b) his teacher has never seen him before; c) he's shorter than your kid was and d)he's circumcised (unlike your kid.) And lady, if you don't swallow that line of bull--, well, we'll lock you up in the "psychopathic ward." (In today's Los Angeles this is now known as the plastic surgeon's office.) Playing the aforementioned distraught mother, Christine Collins, is Angelina Jolie. Jolie does a good job of portraying a relative anomaly of the era-a single mother holding down a respectable job and raising a decent kid. When the time comes to act frail (act frail not look like a strong wind could knock her over), I failed to buy her confusion and capitulation. Sorry. This is Angelina "Freakin" Jolie. "Hackers." "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider." "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." "Wanted." She doesn't get confused. She kicks ass. Apparently the only women who kicked ass in 1928 were hookers so I'm stuck with Angelina trying to appear frail and confused and at the mercy of men which we all know she is not even if her character was. Hard sell. Still, an interesting movie.


EAT.


Couldn't tell ya. Didn't seem like much was being eaten by the cast in this movie. Oh, alright. Since 1928, the famous Canter's Fairfax has been serving delighful deli food. I figure anything that's been around Los Angeles since the story in this movie took place must be worth checking out.


SHOP.


In the 1920s. men dressed like men not hobos in need of belts. Hats and coats. I mean, it's southern California. They must have had heatstroke 11 months out of 12. In any case, they looked good. The women were pretty snazzy too. Managers at the telephone company wore roller skates while they worked. Could you imagine? I mean it's not like you're serving burgers and shakes at the drive-in. You're operating a phone system for cryin' out loud. In a 1920's dress and skates! Forgive me. I digress.


Shop http://www.davenportandco.com/ or http://www.bobbydene.com/ for 1920's (actual 1920's) clothes for men and women. Please. You won't wear this stuff unless you're going to a costume party or a funeral but, if Angelina and her tattoos can pull it off...