THE CHANGELING (1980) *** Utilizes many recognized symbols and elements of the horror genre: the murder of the innocent, classical musicians, an enormous rural house full of cobwebs and antiques near a spiritual urban center (Seattle, shot in a restrained manner that permits a single viewing of the Space Needle through the corner of a window in the background), wheelchairs, toys, scéances...but sustains a very individual feel. Much of this is due to the extraordinary performance of George C. Scott, who appears in virtually every shot and effortlessly moves through a spectrum of emotion in a convincing manner...I mean, this is an actor who channeled General Patton and here he is as a classical composer...talk about changelings. After the opening moments very little happens for the first hour but Peter Medak maintains the illusion of a regularly developing plot with some interesting camera work (of the sort that apparently entranced and addicted, and was amplified by, The Blair Witch Project people). Of course having developed credibility with little out of the ordinary (tragic, but tragically not so far removed from the experience of many), we're entirely set up just in case they want to blow the doors off a grand finale. Not much new is said about the occult, but there's plenty for a young filmmaker to admire. Bits of classical music from off the beaten track are woven throughout, supplemented by a procession of interesting peripheral characters and Rick Wilkins' suspenseful score. There are psychological elements pertaining to the madness of survivers, and you don't have to look particularly hard for find a nicely turned political metaphor (Scott tells the Republican senator that "you are the beneficiary of murder for profit"). Is it scary though? Yes.
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