In The Valley Of Elah

Viewed – 27 June 2008  DVD

Director Paul Haggis follows up the acclaimed Crash (one of my top films of 2006) with this equally powerful drama following the story of a retired army officer who comes up against the closed ranks of the U.S. Army after his son disappears returning from a tour of duty in Iraq.  Tommy Lee Jones is on great form as the determined father searching for the truth, who befriends a female detective (Charlize Theron) and together they attempt to uncover what happened.

Like the aforementioned Crash, this is a deeply moving and gripping story with believable performances and some top acting, especially from Jones who is easily one of the best of his generation…and delivers here where he seemed wasted in No Country For Old Men.  I was also impressed by Charlize Theron who brings a tough but likable demenor to her role.  Also, anyone who has had even a passing interest in the war in Iraq and the politics surrounding it, will be swept up in this very human story of what war can do to good honest people.  My only gripe remains with the closing scenes and the big reveal – I felt it lacked believability, not in what happened, but in Tommy Lee Jones’ reaction to it.

Verdict:  4 /5