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MOVIE
REVIEW: IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH

09/20/07

This was a special movie. It was powerful,
gripping, emotional, and it makes you reflect. Director Paul
Haggis is on a role. From his Academy nominated screenplay
for Million Dollar Baby to directing Academy Award winning
Crash, he now brings us this gem with subliminal messages
that say "Oscar again" all over it. With a cast that
includes Oscar winners Tommy Lee Jones, Susan Sarandon, and
Charlize Theron, you better believe that this project is
Oscar worthy.
Mike, a soldier that recently returned to the States after
his duty in Iraq, has gone AWOL (missing). After being told
of the situation, his father Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee
Jones), a war veteran and former MP, goes off to find his
son. He leaves his wife Joan (Susan Sarandon) at home and
eventually turns to police detective Emily Sanders (Charlize
Theron) who helps him with his cause. Together they discover
the truth which is just a disturbing as war itself.
The characters in this movie were average folk, as it should
be. The performances were far from average though and very
real. Mr. Jones stands out in this picture. At times he was
good ol’ Tommy with his quick, sharp wit and line delivery,
but overall his role was dramatic and strong like a true
soldier. As simple as the storyline seems, the movie had
plenty of twists and turns. At some moments I questioned if
this movie really had anything to do with the war in Iraq.
One of the underlying themes of the movie, however, was
constant . . . PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). In
simple terms, what could happen to a soldier’s mind after
experiencing the trauma of war. A similar trauma is felt by
the parents and family of these soldiers. Joan says it best
as she asks one of the military authorities at the base, "Do
you have any children?" It’s more than what she asked; it’s
also how she asked.
On a personal note, not only was the movie special, but
something special happened to me as well. Before the movie
started, a gentleman seated behind me asked if I were a
critic. We talked briefly and after the movie was over he
asked me for a business card. Unbeknownst to me, he was a
U.S. soldier that had served in Iraq around the same time as
the story of this movie takes place (by the way, this movie
is inspired by actual events). He sent me an email which I
would like to share an excerpt with you:
Hi Cine Marcos,
I was the guy that asked for your card after the movie...'In
the Valley of Elah.' Nice website, btw. I figure you have
got your review pretty well in hand...or your mind. Just
thought I'd tell you some of my perspective if you are
interested.
I was in Iraq for a year, during the same time frame as the
movie. I was with the 101st, and have been from one end of
the country to the other. I didn't experience anything like
the movie. I have a lot of friends in the military that are
there now and have been there since I was there. I have
friends that went to Afghanistan and who are there now as
well. No one has experienced things in the way the movie
portrayed. Yes we've seen a lot of things that we'd like to
forget and done things that we might not have wanted to; but
not quite the way the movie portrayed. I thought the movie
was put together well, I thought the mystery was
interesting. The acting was great. The shots of Iraq and the
military uniforms were very accurate. With the majority of
society looking for some sort of insight to understand what
they haven't experienced or cannot experience, they rely on
visual media through the news and cinematography. I felt it
was unfortunate that the movie seemed to be making a
political statement; and it is unfortunate that it leaves
the military in such bad light . . . I just hope that the
audience doesn't look at the movie as the norm for returning
soldiers.
Following is an excerpt of my reply:
Thank you so much for this email. Who better to get an
opinion from than someone who was actually there? Since I
don't have the experience you have, and I'm not fully
informed on 'all things Iraq', I go based on the movie
itself. I thought it was very good as well with compelling
performances by Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron. Even
though this is probably an isolated case like you say, it
was a good production as far as the movie is concerned.
There is a lot of Oscar buzz around this movie. I'm glad to
hear that this is not the norm for soldiers.
Thanks again for this email. I truly believe that many U.S.
citizens take a lot for granted. Movies like Saving Private
Ryan, Black Hawk Down, and now this one, have helped me
realize just how much we take for granted. It has given me a
whole new appreciation for all war veterans and military
personnel. We need to be grateful of the fact that while we
sit here nice and cozy in our homes living our daily lives,
thousands upon thousands of men and women like yourself are
sent abroad for such long periods of time under hellish
conditions to defend our very own way of life. It is such a
shame that we are in a world where mankind cannot live in
peace. So thank you, thank you very much for all you have
done for me, for the people of this country, and for this
country in general. God bless you and your family and all
people that fight for us.
The title of this movie refers to the valley where David
fought the giant Goliath. Similar to that battle, there are
so many battles going on daily between countries, between
governments and their people, between the people themselves,
and within us as well. I would like to dedicate this review
to all soldiers that are struggling with these battles.
Review By Cine Marcos
cinemarcos@smartcine.com
MORE MOVIE REVIEWS
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People Movie Review
In The Valley of Elah
MARY MINELLA |
100 |
I loved this movie, saw
it three times. It made me realize just
what our soldiers are going through,
daily, and throughout their lives, while
they have fought in an unnecessary war,
for us and our country. The actors
couldn't have been better, and were
perfect for their roles. It stayed with
me for awhile, and couldn't sleep the
first night after watching it. |
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Director: Paul Haggis
Writer: Paul Haggis
Genre:
Drama War
Duration: 2hrs
Staring:
Tommy Lee Jones
Charlize
Theron
Susan
Sarandon
Jason
Patric
Producer:
Laurence Becsey
Darlene Caamano
Paul Haggis
Steve Samuels
Patrick Wachsberger
Distributor: Warner Independent
Rating:
R
Release Date: September 14, 2007
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