In the Valley of Elah (2007)
Runtime: 2 hrs
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Frances Fisher, Susan Sarandon, Jason Patric
Screenwriter: Paul Haggis
Story: Mark Boal, Paul Haggis
Producer: Paul Haggis, Larry Becsey, Patrick Wachsberger, Steven Samuels, Darlene Caamano Loquet
Composer: Mark Isham
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
Regardless of which side of the political fence one sits on, 'In the Valley of Elah''s power can't be denied and the strong acting must be appreciated.
It's a quality film, but all the truly emotional moments come from watching and listening to the soldiers, which doesn't really happen until the very end.
[Jones] makes the father's pride, determination, stubbornness, patriotism, and love extremely, utterly believable, sympathetic, and involving.
It's Tommy Lee Jones' film: he produces a stiff ex-soldier whose clipped speech and manner hide a seething mass of apprehension and guilt.
...a good mystery, with some thought-provoking observations on the effects of war on the hearts and minds of its participants.
Where Lions For Lambs stumbled, Haggis’ latest succeeds in putting dramatic form to the disquiet over US policy. Tommy Lee Jones’ performance, meanwhile, is impressive enough to make him a decent bet in this year’s Oscar race.
A sombre condemnation of US foreign policy, wrapped in an absorbing whodunit.
Jones’ Oscar-nominated performance is impeccably judged. His low-key turn as a man forced to question everything from the kind of father he was to the nature of the country he fought for could be the contender to give Daniel Day-Lewis a run for his money.
A powerful, imperfect drama let down by the playground polemic of a country still sending its children to be slaughtered overseas.
Tense, powerful and considerably less crass than Crash, Elah may be jammed with ideas that don’t all connect, but Jones’ devastating performance makes this a compassionate and very human look at the Iraq conflict.
While you sometimes feel its length, stick with it--its in its layers that the movie comes alive.
Uma obra que se propõe a discutir vários temas relevantes, fazendo-o com certa eficácia.
It would be a crime if Jones doesn't receive a Best Actor Oscar nomination, and Sarandon's reaction upon hearing the news of Mike's death should get her an automatic Best Supporting Actress win.
Has numerous levels that go far beyond a whodunit, asking us to look at familial ties, gender roles and relations, and the interactions of military and civilian worlds.
Haggis draws sensitive performances from his cast while asking provocative, important questions.
Excellent turns cannot make this plodding package any more of a bludgeoning chore to sit through.
Related Forums
by: Darko, Donnie 2/19
by: bryanjz628 2/7
Photos
Videos
Watch Now >>
News
posted by Jen Yamato February 18, 2008
Ready those Oscar ballots! With the Academy Awards around the corner, it's time to start catching up on what you missed...
posted by Orlando Parfitt January 24, 2008
We sit down with the Crash director and Bond scribe to find out more about his political latest, In the Valley of Elah....
posted by Jeff Giles January 10, 2008
"Making a movie about the war in Iraq" is quickly turning into just another way of saying "losing tons of money at the box...
posted by Jeff Giles December 14, 2007
The London Critics Circle has announced the nominees for its year-end awards, with Anton Corbijn's Control and Joe...
Around the Network
In the Valley of Elah at IGN
In the Valley of Elah at AskMen