Review of In the Valley of Elah (2007) by Henrik S — 26 Feb 2011

First off, I must say that I was very much disappointed by the movie. Although the Oscar do not mean as much as they used to qualitywise, I did not expect a movie like this to be nominated. The worst thing about this movie is the story.

I know that it is based on true events and I do not mind the outcome but the arc is dull and as good as without interesting plot twist. It feels like a documentary about a situation where not much happened.

The grim undertone critizing the Iraq war nearly gave me a fit. So, the Americans build themselves a pile of shit (Iraq War) and then give otu awards to people who notice it after years ? Well, the rest of the world could've told you in the first place.

Talking about Americanism, the movie is full of cliches and the charachters came straight out of a pulp novel. The female cop, having a hard time in her male dominated workplace, the young and innocent, yet disturbed soldieres.

The good hearted stripper, trying to make a living and so on - boring. Tommy Lee ones saves a few minutes, as his character has got some edges here and there that make him feel alive. All in all, you can see what the movie tried to be, a calm yet grim portrait of the side effects of the Iraq war, but it fails.