In the Valley of Elah
In theaters September 21st 2007
Violent and disturbing content, language and some
sexuality/nudity
RunTime: 121 min
Matt's rating - 3.75 out of 5
Cindy's rating - 4 out of 5
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Review by Matt Mungle
At the root of every solid film is solid acting. Acting that
immediately draws you in to a character and ultimately the film.
In the Valley of Elah, the new film from Crash director Paul
Haggis stars three actors with Academy Award winner after their
name. Granted this doesn't always mean success but this time
the trio delivers near perfect performances. The lead actor
leads and the two supporting actors support. When that happens
it runs like a well oiled machine. Even through scenes that
border on tedium.
Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones) is a retired Military cop whose
son goes missing after returning from Iraq. Hank teams up with
a struggling detective (Charlize Theron) to try and uncover
the truth and overcome small town politics and military secrecy.
This film is a bold look at military men and the decisions they
make. Not all are upstanding heroes and Hank runs the risk of
discovering which line his son walked. Though not necessarily
an anti military piece, it does touch on the fact that just
because someone is in the military and even "fighting for our
country" in no way makes them a model citizen or honorable individual.
It makes you wonder if most of what goes on abroad is even remotely
humane. And the result of which effects us here at home even
more.
There is a reason Paul Haggis writes and directs
Oscar Winning films. He has a way of making
characters and dialogue sync. There is nothing flashy
about his films. They are raw and real. This, added to
the acting mentioned before, is golden. Susan
Sarandon completes the trifecta as Hanks wife Joan.
Though her scenes are few they are poignant and get
at the heart of what a mom must go through in a
military family. Sarandon has been pretty low key
since Moonlight Mile but leaves no doubts here about
her status in H-Town.
In the Valley of Elah is rated R for violent and
disturbing content, language and some
sexuality/nudity. This is a film designed for adults and
there is no reason to take your under 17 movie mate. It
deals with mature themes and explicit content. The
nudity is kept to strip clubs and a brief military shower
scene and you could easily fulfill your boob quota
watching this film. Still, it is not gratuitous but used to
further the stories elements and surroundings. I give
the film 3.75 out of 5 bedtime stories. The acting and
writing alone made this a standout flick. It drags
slightly at the end which keeps me from going a full 4.
Worth seeing but definitely know before you go.
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Matt and Cindy are members of the North Texas
Film
Critics Association (NTFCA). For additional
reviews
and interview clips visit the website.
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Mungleshow Productions
Matt Mungle
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