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In the Valley of Elah

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Directed by: Paul Haggis

Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Susan Susandron, Jason Patric, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Jonathan Tucker

This is not an all out war movie. The war theme is just used as a backdrop for a murder of a soldier. A very cold-hearted, subtle and slow moving murder mystery which reveals much more than just the crime.

An Ex military policeman, Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones), is notified that his son, Mike, on returning from Iraq has gone missing and later declared Dead. What begins as a methodical search for his son’s whereabouts becomes very tragic as the movie goes on. Mike was stabbed to death and burned like a barbeque before being cut into many parts and thrown away a little away from the road. The witnesses were his friends who tells Mike that they left him on the road before the incident and hence have no idea what happened to Mike. These questions are answered in small pieces and with shocking implications. Hank’s skills at police work helps him to convince local Detective Emily Sanders (Charlize Theron) to take charge of the case despite the doubts of her own colleagues and the military, led by investigator Lt. Kirklander (Jason Patric). Mike’s PDA has garbled video that begins to paint a disturbing picture of the war front. Hank’s search takes an emotional toll on himself and his wife (Susan Sarandon). He and Emily put their heads together to solve the case and in between the theories and suspects, what emerges is a cold blooded portrait of war veterans in Iraq that will leave the audience awe struck. Ultimately Hank comes face to face with reality and the alarming truth about his son’s fate and the possible involvement of his military friends.

The cast were nothing much but great. Charlize Theron’s no-nonsense strong woman character, Emily Sanders, was as believable as ever while Jones was perfect as the all-American ex-Army dad. Susan Sarandon didn’t disappoint either even though she didn’t have much screen time.

The story is based on actual events in 2001 in Tennessee, and its title references the mythic tale of David and Goliath set at a time when the rules of engagement were different than the present. Mike’s PDA which showed flashback video and imagery may make the film look like an independent film, but its message and execution is on a grander scale and not merely with dialogue. With stunning visuals, much is conveyed by silence, expression, or simple body language. You’d have to be severely cold hearted not to shed a few tears because I was reminded of how much unimaginable suffering the war has caused to millions now knowing who were much to blame.