Review of In the Valley of Elah (2007) by Mike W — 29 Oct 2008

A film with a powerful, but respectfully dignified and restrained message. A little over-long, though, not helped by Theron's character not really adding anything to the film. A necessary character, absolutely, but one who shows no progression throughout, fails to bring a distinct perspective to any of the events going on, and, of course, can't help but seem a touch cliched.

That said, the film is really all about Tommy Lee Jones' character, who is flawlessly presented. TLJ perfectly embodies the part, carrying you through his emotions in every scene with an understated performance which brings a potency to every nuance of expression. He was so genuine and believable, in fact, that the conclusion, which so easily could have seemed trite, and even rather pathetic, in fact holds a real weight, and feels quite scathing. And, perhaps more importantly - entirely justified, and not simply a petulant display of disapproval without any validity or credibility behind it.

A film very much worth watching.