Overall rating from 1 to 100: 95
O Masterpiece (100)
X Excellent (75-99)
O Rental (60-74)
O OK (50-59)
O Mediocrity (30-49)
O Avoid (1-29)
Mini Review by Jason Pyles / November 10, 2007
"In the Valley of Elah" is a mystery, specifically a police procedural, whose commentary on the Iraq War is stirring and memorable, regardless of your political position. But above all, this is an exceptional film, and without question, one of the year's best.
"Inspired by actual events," the film begins in 2004 when Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones) receives a phone call from the U.S. Army, informing him that his son who recently returned from the war in Iraq is AWOL, and presumably somewhere in New Mexico. This inciting incident initiates the retired military-police sergeant’s search for his missing son.
Sadly, a mini review doesn’t permit me the space to adequately emphasize the excellence of this film. But to name one example, many scenes are shot with Jones behind glass, usually a truck window. Thanks to his MP experience, Deerfield can see things the investigative detectives cannot. But because he’s just a civilian, the sergeant isn’t permitted to act directly (hence the recurring image of seeing clearly from behind glass). Watch what happens, however, during the scene where the window is rolled halfway down.
The viewer who pays close attention to the film’s subtle set-ups, will reap rich rewards from its pay-offs.
Directed by Paul Haggis
Tommy Lee Jones / Charlize Theron / Susan Sarandon
124 min. Mystery / Drama
MPAA: R (for violent and disturbing content, language and some sexuality/nudity)
Copyright 2007. 197
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