Review of In the Valley of Elah (2007) by Zach S — 22 Jul 2012

First and foremost, I could give a damn what your position on the war in Iraq is. I don't care if you're liberal, conservative or otherwise. If you are too close minded to at least have an intelligent conversation about the current state of our country, well, you shouldn't be allowed to watch films, much less feed yourself.

The long and short of it is this is an incredible film. Haggis has proven again that he is one of the most brilliant and socially conscious writer/director's of his time. The sheer subtlety of the film's performances turn what could've been a character exercise in feigned sincerity into a compelling and genuine 'experience.' There is no banality to it, the characters simply exist. Whereas other films attempt to preach to you, to force their opinions about this war on you as if their belief is the one and only, Elah simply presents itself. Take it or leave it.

Tommy Lee Jones as Hank Deerfield is beyond exemplary. Charlize Theron is also superb. They both take what very easily could have been another cookie-cutter movie and decide to go the other way. Theron does not exploit her sexuality, if anything she downplays it. Jones' hostility, while justified, could easily been annoying and overacted. Instead its satisfyingly restrained. Which is really the word of the day with this film: restaint. Saradon, Franco, and Patric could have really busted out their acting chops and overpowered a scene, but they didnt, and that's what makes it so incredible.

In the Valley of Elah is one of the most wonderfully executed and thought provoking films I've ever seen. The final shot is so intensely satisfying that I defy you not to get goosebumps and/or chills.