IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH

"My son has spent the last 18 months bringing democracy to a sh*thole!"

When retired military police sergeant Hank Deerfield (Jones) receives a phone call to say this son has been reported absent without leave after he returned from his tour in Iraq, he decides to head to his son's base to look for him. While investigating he discovers that neither the Army nor the local police force is taking it seriously but when a body is recovered and arguments over jurisdiction ensue, detective Emily Sanders (Theron) works with Hank to uncover the truth.

Movies based around the current American deployment to Iraq are ones to cause debate and reflection on the 'War on Terror' but can Oscar winning writer/director Paul Haggis raise an issue about the troops themselves?

Based around actual events that took place in 2004, Paul Haggis directorial follow up to his Oscar winning 'Crash' has just as much to say as his movie that took home the golden statue. With the current American and British occupation of Iraq causes not just conflict in the country itself but debate amongst both politicians and the general public alike, stories of how it is affecting the troops sent there should also be remembered as they are the ones having to 'bring democracy' to these war torn streets.

With the main emphasis of the story revolving around the father, Hank Deerfield, and the detective, Emily Sanders, investigation into the disappearance of Hank's son Mike, it is the underlying story of how soldiers in any conflict cope with what they have witnessed or had to do which what draws you into this movie. Paul Haggis and co-story writer Mike Boal successfully grab you from the off and pull you into a pot boiler of a story that simmers away until the final revelations make the story boil over. The investigational elements draw you in but it is the reasons and motivations for the events that make this movie truly compelling.

Tommy Lee Jones is an actor that commands your attention every time he graces the silver screen. As Hank Deerfield, he creates the character of a driven father who wants to know what happened to his son and he will not rest until the truth has been revealed. This is another powerhouse performance from the actor and one that forms the main backbone of the movie. After her Oscar winning performance in 'Monster', Charlize Theron has followed up this up with a series of interesting and varied roles to showcase that that performance wasn't just a one off and her role as detective Emily Sanders is another that will get her more plaudits. While she is undoubtedly an extremely beautiful woman, she is never afraid of taking on a more plain or professional looking demeanour to bring a character to life and Emily Sanders is a good challenge for the clearly talented actress. Paul Haggis has also drawn together a good supporting cast with noticeable, standout performances from young actors Wes Chatham, Jake McLaughlin, Mehcad Brooks and Jonathan Tucker, a good role for the talented Jason Patric and brief but noticeable appearances for James Franco, Josh Brolin and Susan Sarandon.

'In the Valley of Elah' is another well writer and extremely well acted 'statement' movie from Paul Haggis. He is a writer/director who has a talent to draw you into a story but enlighten you at the same time, getting you talking, discussing and reflecting on not only what you have seen but some biggest more poignant issues that everyone needs to think about. It made be a little slow paced and has a few predictable moments but this is a movie that needs to simmer away to allow the finale to have the impact that will have you thinking about the film for a long time after.

Featurette: After Iraq
Featurette: Coming Home
Interview With Paul Haggis
Additional Scenes
Trailer

Crash

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2008