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In the Valley of Elah (2007) Reviews

In the Valley of Elah (2007)
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When a model soldier who recently returned to the U.S. from the front lines of Iraq goes AWOL, his veteran father enlists the aid of a dedicated police detective in seeking out his son's true fate in director/screenwriter Paul Haggis' follow up to the Oscar-winning 2004 indie-hit Crash. Mike Deerfield (Jonathan Tucker) has served his country faithfully, and now the time has come for him to return home to the United States. Shortly after returning, however, Mike simply vanishes without a trace. Mike's father, Hank (Tommy Lee Jones), is a former MP from the Vietnam era, and quickly recruits Detective Emily Sanders (Charlize Theron) to assist him in his search for the missing soldier. While it remains to be seen whether Hank will ever find his missing son, he gets quickly enmeshed in a tangled web of intrigue, cover-ups, and murder, all related to the Iraqi conflict. The drama thus highlights the profoundly personal toll combat takes on soldiers, while striking at the very heart of the American experience in Iraq. Inspired by a Playboy Magazine article written by Mark Boal, Haggis's fictionalized version of the actual events co-stars Jason Patrick, Susan Sarandon, James Franco, and Josh Brolin. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Starring:
Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, (more)
Director(s):
Paul Haggis
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  |  Blu-ray
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Average Ratings

(163 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Michael J.

It is a film grounded in PTSD. Tommy Lee Jones is the father, a "NAM" vet with a few issues of his own. He can't get over how combat has changed his 'son'. It has an ending which is contrived, full of rage, and hate for the 'them in government' who corrupted his son. It is full of hollywood cowpiles spread throughout the movie... and twisted angst.' I wanted to yell out near the end, in my best impression of Jack Nickelson's, right on Marine Colonel imitation, "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!" if you watch it and have different feelings, so be it. It don't mean nuthin'; that's a perfect description of this flick. Get on with your life. As a Vietnam veteran dad should have known better then to second guess; as a Military Police veteran he should have handled it better then to hype and justify his wife's fears and pain. Imagine what I would have written if Tommy Lee Jones wasn't my favorite movie star?

Yes   |   No


Tim S.

People should generally see this movie for three reasons;first, very interesting to watch the character development and second the whole oversimplification argument is balanced out as well as some very good acting by almost all the characters. It was better than I expected on the interesting side of things and Oscar quality but delivers a message that the Academy Awards folks probably thought politically untimely. This movie made sense to me and was impactful.

Yes   |   No


Jason P.

I hung in there with this movie until the end. The acting is top notch as you would expect with the cast they have but the end of the movie felt over done. I felt like they took a true story and even made it worse. Maybe I'm wrong. Ninety percent of the movie seems like a well fashioned thriller of find the killer and then the wheels fall off. You find out who it is and then you find out more and more to the point that you have to ask yourself, "Is the point of this movie to show that EVERY SINGLE person who goes to Iraq becomes insane and worthless to society and to that point America is doomed to chaos?!" This went from feeling like a good movie to pure propaganda. I can get the message and don't mind the anti-Iraq message but you don't have to force feed it down the viewer's throat with multiple waves of it. At least show one person who goes over to not be a loser punk who is now ruined for life.

Yes   |   No


Frank H.

This movie shows the brutalization of war on young human souls. It depicts the terrible prize paid by soldiers trying to come back to some sense of normalcy and the aftermath created by PTSD. Everyone is affected, especially those close to them. It's a terrifyingly sad movie. Not for children. Frank H.

Yes   |   No


Lois W.

This was the second time we have watched this movie. It is extremely interesting because it was based on fact. Tommy Lee Jones is one of my favorite actors ..I think all adults should see this movie. It is frustrating to watch at times, but gives one an insight to what it is like for soldiers returning from Iraq.

Yes   |   No


Gerald O.

More heavy handed self important story telling brought to you by the people who brought you "Crash". Oh yeah, once again they forgot to make the story believable and cohesive.

Yes   |   No


John T.

Good movie.

Yes   |   No


Eduardo C.

Great theme excellent performance of every actor/actress

Yes   |   No


PATGAYLA H.

A tortured and self-serving storyline by movie makers who want to make their own political statement. This is certainly something Susan Sarandon will be proud of. Don't waste your time watching this. See The Incredible Hulk instead. It contains more realism than this movie.

Yes   |   No


Diane F.

Excellent film that accurately portrays the effect of war on the families left behind and the high price out soldiers still pay if they manage to get out alive.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
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    Michael J.

    It is a film grounded in PTSD. Tommy Lee Jones is the father, a "NAM" vet with a few issues of his own. He can't get over how combat has changed his 'son'. It has an ending which is contrived, full of rage, and hate for the 'them in government' who corrupted his son. It is full of hollywood cowpiles spread throughout the movie... and twisted angst.' I wanted to yell out near the end, in my best impression of Jack Nickelson's, right on Marine Colonel imitation, "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!" if you watch it and have different feelings, so be it. It don't mean nuthin'; that's a perfect description of this flick. Get on with your life. As a Vietnam veteran dad should have known better then to second guess; as a Military Police veteran he should have handled it better then to hype and justify his wife's fears and pain. Imagine what I would have written if Tommy Lee Jones wasn't my favorite movie star?

    Yes   |   No

     
    Tim S.

    People should generally see this movie for three reasons;first, very interesting to watch the character development and second the whole oversimplification argument is balanced out as well as some very good acting by almost all the characters. It was better than I expected on the interesting side of things and Oscar quality but delivers a message that the Academy Awards folks probably thought politically untimely. This movie made sense to me and was impactful.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Jason P.

    I hung in there with this movie until the end. The acting is top notch as you would expect with the cast they have but the end of the movie felt over done. I felt like they took a true story and even made it worse. Maybe I'm wrong. Ninety percent of the movie seems like a well fashioned thriller of find the killer and then the wheels fall off. You find out who it is and then you find out more and more to the point that you have to ask yourself, "Is the point of this movie to show that EVERY SINGLE person who goes to Iraq becomes insane and worthless to society and to that point America is doomed to chaos?!" This went from feeling like a good movie to pure propaganda. I can get the message and don't mind the anti-Iraq message but you don't have to force feed it down the viewer's throat with multiple waves of it. At least show one person who goes over to not be a loser punk who is now ruined for life.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 163 Reviews
       

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