Forgotten Characters 2:10

Due to a post to boost my memory compliments of Marshall my mind turned to this film recently. There’s so much about this film that’s forgotten, some of them understandable, like this performance. It wasn’t a poor one, by any means, but in an already long film it didn’t take up much time…hence its forgotten status.

           

Amy Ryan in Changeling

 As Carol Dxter

            

We meet Carol a good way in Changeling. Jolie’s Christine has been cast into a mental institution via the Police Force. Amy grabs my attention from the inception, without being too obvious. Her first words are sage, “You should eat. Eating is normal. You got to do everything you can to look normal.” Both Christine and the audience are startled by the composure coming from someone in a place like this. As she gives Christine the “inside scoop” on their situation it’s a good moment for the film, and Clint knows that. I liked Changeling quite much, but even I’ll admit it could get oppressive at times with all the information, but Clint holds back here and Ryan (along with Jolie) work well. Even in the nondescript moments like Ryan’s line reading of, “I work nights.” Jolie’s Christine is nonplussed, and then she enunciates “I work nights.” It’s some slight irony that coming from the stage (and being known for her loud – but excellent – performance in Gone Baby Gone) Amy has such a knack for subtlety. Eastwood knows she’s a gem and she gets those poignant lines, “If we’re insane, nobody has to listen to us. I mean, who are you going to believe, some crazy woman trying to destroy the force of the, or a police officer? ”

             

We don’t have any time to see the relationship grown between the two; perhaps it’s just their commonality that fosters that tenuous bond. Like her brave – but misguided – punch to the doctor to “save” Christine. It’s an iffy moment, story wise, but it works precisely because Amy Ryan is able to convey that this woman is at the end of the rope. There’s nowhere left to go. Her confession in the hospital room is slight but effective, “I lost…two babies…to back alley doctors…no choice…Never had the chance…to fight for them. You do. Don’t stop.” It’s moment like these that define a character that could have turned into little more than vignette. Her final moment is wordless, a newly rejuvenated Christine returns to get all the Code Twelve patients out. The silent exchange between Jolie and Ryan is a quiet tender moment and just with her eyes Amy says so much. As the saying goes, there are no small roles only small actors and Amy Ryan is definitely not a small actor – her work in Changeling is special.

                   
Do you remember Carol Dexter of “f**k-you-and-the-horse-you-rode-in-on” fame? Or did you forget Changeling and all that comes with it?