In the Valley of Elah (2007)

There is much to recommend about this film: asssured direction, competent cinematography, one great chase through backyards, good dialogue, and credible screenplay. The single greatest asset is, however, acting of the highest quality even if, sadly, Sarandon is underused, as is James Franco, and one wonders why they were in the film at all. That aside, Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron probably have the best performances of their careers IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH.

Surprisingly thoughtful treatment that highlights the destruction of those who are being continually brutalized - at the expense of an essentially un-ending war the USA is determined to run to its end - for better or worse. This productions studied approach lifts it above some others that have attempted to encourage us to take a far closer look at this war and the hideous dehumanization it brings - not just to the war zone, but equally and frighteningly to the home front!The combination of screenplay writer/director Paul Haggis, story writer Mark Boal and British born director of Photography (the hugely talented Roger Deakin's) along with a sterling cast of superb professionals, compel us to keep looking, thinking, asking questions and, considering all the motivational causes that lead to this gut wrenching, based on shocking facts situation. The war machine and all who ultimately play along with war games are deservedly brought to question and, we all have a good idea who they are...Gruelling but in a quiet and thoughtful manner (with unfortunately the now expected but not always necessary, over-use of explicative's) this drama is more purposeful than many others and recommended for the thinking viewer. Important points are solidly scored by the scenes of girls dancing around poles in sleazy clubs - offering a stark contrast to the way the flag on the pole is used in the finale, as it silently screams about the pathways to moral degradation trodden by modern warfare and society.

I watched this right after watching "The Next Three Days" and being very impressed. To my surprise, I actually found this movie to be even better. Not only is it thrilling, suspenseful, and contains great acting and writing, but it deals with powerful issues that stick with you.I found "The Next Three Days" To be surprisingly thoughtful for a thriller, but this movie even more so. I tend to not watch a lot of war movies and depressing films, even if they are good, because I'm not always in the mood for something depressing or sad, but this movie stays fun and entertaining, while slowly introducing important and deep issues that need to be addressed. It's basically a suspenseful thriller, and a really good one at that, but as the movie goes along, you slowly appreciate what these boys went through in Iraq, the horrible things they saw, and the horrible effects it really has. The war may be in the Middle East, and they definitely see the worst of it, but the horrible effects come back home with the soldiers and affect us here as well.I think this movie is rated unfairly low, because veterans, patriots, and conservatives write it off as liberal propaganda. It ends with a very controversial shot, but I love that Haggis had the balls to do this because it gave me even more to think about after the film was over.The film is based on a true story and is actually very realistic, so anyone who writes it off as liberal or anti-America is in denial about the real issues and the fact that war is never a good thing. Sending young boys off to war is something that governments have always brainwashed their citizens to believe is a good thing and should be honored, when in reality it is horrible and tragic. This film makes that apparent, but does not make it the central plot of the film.I really think Haggis is a brilliant writer who puts a lot of thought and effort into his writing. He is one of the best film-makers at creating movies that are fun to watch and entertaining, but also deal with important issues and leave you with something to think about.I have recently watched "The Next Three Days" and "Crash" and this movie, all three of which were written and directed by Haggis, and although this has the lowest IMDb rating of the three, I personally thought it was the best of the three. In fact, I could easily put it as one of my favorite movies of all time. Crash deals with racism and has a clever script, but I find it to be less entertaining and more depressing. This movie deals with a depressing topic, but does not bog down the movie with sad moments, but instead leaves you to think about it at your leisure after the film is over.If you haven't seen this movie, GO SEE IT! And I hope it eventually gets a higher rating like it deserves.

"In the Valley of Elah" is a 2007 film directed by Paul Haggis, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, and Susan Sarandon. The title comes from the story of David and Goliath, which Jones tells Theron's little boy.Jones plays an ex-military police officer, Hank Deerfield, now retired, who looks into his son's disappearance after he returned home from Iraq. His son, Mike, is in danger of being AWOL. Hank finds it odd that his son didn't contact him when he returned stateside. His wife (Susan Sarandon) is concerned, too, as they lost their other son who was in the military as well.He is unable to get answers or help. The cops say it's not their jurisdiction, and if Hank goes to the military police, Mike stands to get into more trouble. Unfortunately, his son's body, carved to pieces and burnt, is found in a field. The military takes over the case, but Hank's investigation indicates his son was actually killed on non-military property and his body dragged to another area. So the police take it over, headed by Det. Emily Sanders. A victim of jibes at her job for being a woman, she's anxious to prove herself.The story that they uncover is horrific. It's a story of desensitization to violence, trauma that leads to drug addiction and drunkenness.It's also a story of one man's point of view and definition of manhood, which is challenged by what he learns. "You took both my boys," Hank's wife sobs. "Couldn't you have left me one?" Susan Sarandon's heartbreaking performance is a real standout in a role that, in the hands of a lesser actress, would have seemed like what it was - a small part.Tommy Lee Jones underplays the role of Hank, a man who has always been a "man" and not shown his feelings. But all of the anguish is on his hardened, determined face. Someone on this board said Charlize Theron "looked bad" for her role. I should look so bad. She is an obviously beautiful woman who deglamorized herself with pulled-back dark hair and casual clothing. She looked appropriate for the role she played and didn't resort to obvious stereotypes like glasses and heavy eyebrows. She gives a good performance, that of a woman who realizes that she, too, has become desensitized to violence and cries for help.This movie took a real hit on this board, at least in the message part. Sure, there was no need for the last scene. Considering all the CGI blockbusters without much in the way of characterizations out there, I'll take a well-directed, sincere story like this any day.