Im Tal von Elah

Tommy Lee Jones is searching for his missing son and discovers that the army is not what it used to be. The director of the Oscar-winning Crash delivers a very compelling but quite challenging to watch psychological whodunit about the lengths to which a man will go to find out the truth and the lengths he must go to in order to come to terms with it. Tommy Lee Jones's excellent performance, the impressive cinematography and the smart script make In the Valley of Elah a very good film, although the slow pace may be an insurmountable obstacle for some (07.03.2008)

Paul Haggis. In this, his first attempt at directing, he proved that he’s got talent. But he spoiled Crash in places with too intentional frontal attacks on the emotions. In his new movie you can see that he has learned his lesson and has gone from big emotions and didacticism to a relaxed, almost meditative narrative tempo where he doesn’t push too hard (maybe apart from the scene with handholding in the bath). What surprised me was that he chose a topic that we’ve seen dozens of times on screen already. A crime movie in the style of The General’s Daughter with an emphasis on the characters and in a style that usually catches the Academy’s interest. I was bothered by forced “Iraq" backstory at the beginning. Even a less obvious comparison could also demonstrate that war is horrible and does terrible things to people. But this time it’s not openly cheap, it’s filmed with sensitivity and with marvelous minimalist acting from all. The characters excellently sculpted down to the very last supporting role. In the Valley of Elah is not a movie without flaws. Nor is it the type of picture that appeals to the public like Crash. It has a lot of blemishes, but there is a really pleasant, old-fashioned “calm" inside it. Despite all my criticisms, I liked it. And I have to admit that I liked it a lot. (09.02.2008)

In the Valley of Elah is not so much a classic crime story, although everything essential revolves around a brutally murdered man, but rather a psychological drama with a clearly defined anti-war message. The murderer is revealed in the film, but the real culprit here is war and the resulting traumas and deformations of the human psyche. The film, which is based on quality dialogue and a strong theme, may not appeal to fans of popcorn films and action enthusiasts, because apart from a scene lasting less than two minutes, it is truly a film built on the clash of characters and ideas. Neither the viewer nor the protagonist searching for his missing son will not get a happy ending, and in fact, he would rather refrain from discovering what he finds out about his past and not open Pandora's box. Overall impression: 80%. In any case, this is one of those quality smart films with a solid screenplay that belongs to the significantly better offerings of contemporary cinema. (11.11.2012)

Typical Haggis, formally austere, raw, and very minimalist in terms of plot. The relatively sensitive topic of the echoes of war in the Middle East is presented fairly interestingly, although it is very difficult to avoid certain clichés. Everything is essentially built solely on the performances of the leading actors, with the weary Tommy Lee Jones appearing great in the majority of scenes, and Charlize Theron also not being out of place. It doesn't have the emotional impact that Haggis has delivered in his previous works (whether as a screenwriter or director), but it is an interesting film and definitely worth seeing. You won't be entertained, but it will definitely give you a rather interesting look at a war conflict that happened not too long ago. (19.10.2008)

A very, very good film, quite evocative of the familiar problem of soldiers reassimilating back into normal society. The only thing that annoys me a bit is Tommy Lee Jones, who lately, though not badly, has been constantly acting the same way. (27.11.2009)

After giving it another go today, this movie struck me as one of those where Americans try to make an effort at self-reflection, but the notes of this tune sound false when you put them in the context of real politics. Setting the theme aside, I'll review the movie as some sort of detective story. As such, it felt mediocre because it lacked tension and a well-developed atmosphere. However, I did appreciate the character of Sergeant Deerfield, who showcased the skills of a Native American tracker. Detective Emily Sanders, played by Charlize Theron, didn't disappoint either, even though she masochistically pressed her injured nose against her palm and touched the victim's body without gloves. So, the characters were decent, but the story left something to be desired. I had the feeling that the creators geared up for a big drama, but then lost their courage, exhaled, and did a very sloppy job. / Lesson learned: Even an experienced investigator can be betrayed by intuition. 3*- (06.11.2022)