This is based on a true story, and is not only compelling and rich but also has a good creepiness factor. Something for everyone.

I remember Mr. Otter seeing this movie in the theater, and coming home to tell me about it. He was WAY creeped out, since the bad guy who was killing people had his farm near where Mr. Otter and I grew up. Granted, it was a long time before either of us was born, but still. Creepy.

Clint Eastwood is certainly a wonder. After all the westerns and then the cop movies and then a spate of odd stuff...he blossoms into one of the best directors around, and I hope that the last section of his life is what he will be remembered for.

This movie was amazing. Two and a half hours long, and it kept getting bigger and more elegant and more interesting as it went on. The bit of plot that you see in the trailers (a woman's child is stolen, LA police bring him back but it's not the right boy and nobody will believe her) is just the beginning.

And Angelina Jolie. Oh my golly, she was good. And it took me a while to recognize her, because in this movie, although very pretty, she looks...well...NORMAL. Not glamorous or stunningly beautiful. Just normal beautiful. She was wonderful. We also liked seeing our favorite bad boy, Jeffrey Donovan, as the bad cop.

Oh, and one of the best parts is the end credits: J. Michael Straczynski wrote this wonderful screenplay. No wonder it was so good.

This was a really excellent movie, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Now, I'm not saying it's an easy movie to watch, or comforting, but satisfying? oh yes. And excellent? yes again. And worth your time? absolutely.

Trust the otter.