Review of In the Valley of Elah (2007) by Lauren H — 06 Apr 2009

Million Dollar Baby and Crash are two of Paul Haggis' finer movie moments - The Valley of Elah is no exception to the rule he seems to have carved out for himself. As I switched the DVD off, on came Obama on his surprise visit to Iraq, condemning the Iraqi government and whilst praising the military effort within Iraq, recognizing the lost force of a now stagnant war.

Tommy Lee Jones powerfully reminded the audience of the importance of patriotism, in a time of doubt and yet exposed the ruthless, hopeless and raw nature of war. Iraq is a strange one. Many people disagree with the legality of the war's basis - the whole premise of the War on Terror being dubious in itself - and yet praise must go to those brave men and women who defend their nations sovereignity. It is not the War nor the motives of the Administration who sent their soldiers into battle, that is in question here - it is the mechanisms behind the concept of war, the very nature of battle that force one to reckon and reconcile. In search of his son, and then his sons killer, the sense of loss of a soldier was always present.

The loss however was not experienced as is the normal state of play, in military battle; is was a battle of minds, a complex search for peace yet riddled with uncertainty that tapered the journey of Michael and then his father. War can drive you to drugs, mental health issues and incomprehensible responses in "normal situations". Uncovering that, uncovered the Armies weaknesses, their attempts at a cover up under the guise of 'jurisdictional' issues. TLJ was brave enough, like King David, to fire the sling shot and go it along, with Charlize Theron along for the ride to prove the braun of her brain, not just her ability to flaunt her sexuality and get to the top.

The many threads to this story make it intensely enjoyable and yet rather unnerving. It made me reflect. I have never once felt during the time of Iraq, that we were a country at war. Call me stupid, but yes ration books are a thing of the past, but where is the British appreciation and show of patriotism for our troops. It's not your average King and Country situation - Blair on the coattails of Bush was never going to drum up the support of those Churchill colored days. But to see a flag fly every once in a while would perhaps remind those under class, unruly youth yobs of ours that actually, people are sacrificing their lives out in Iraq and Afghanistan (lest we not forget) for (loosely) freedom.

To avoid an Eden Lake phenomenon, fast approaching, pull the troops out and plug them into educational institutes. No soldier should ever die in vain. The problem is that most people aren't particularly sure what they are fighting for in Iraq - if nothing more, we should be reminded of why, where, who, how and when. It's not all about Hitler anymore - it's about Suicide Bombers, and Freedom Fighters and Terror. Test them on that and lets see how far they get.

Then maybe the flag would fly at upside down and they would understand exactly why. Until then, we ain't going to breed any King David's any time soon. A country full of Goliath's. I sure as hell didn't vote for that.