ANGELINA Jolie makes a strong bid for an Oscar nomination with her tour de force portrayal of a crusading mother in Clint Eastwood's harrowing drama.

Based on a shocking true story, Changeling is the nightmare experience of single mother Christine Collins (Jolie), who arrives home one day to find her son Walter (Gattlin Griffith) has disappeared without trace.

After months of fearing the worst, Captain JJ Jones (Donovan) of the LAPD claims to have found Walter.

Unfortunately, it's a case of mistaken identity but in order to avoid a media maelstrom Jones forces Christine to lie.

Jolie is sensational as a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown, who screams and shouts for justice, fearful she might not get the answers she craves.