In the Valley of Elah (2007)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:150
Fresh:108
Rotten:42
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: Though some of Paul Haggis's themes are heavy-handed, In the Valley of Elah is otherwise an engrossing murder mystery and antiwar statement, featuring a mesmerizing performance from Tommy Lee Jones.
Theatrical Release:25-01-2008
Synopsis: Tommy Lee Jones plays Hank Deerfield, a retired military man investigating the mysterious disappearance of his soldier son, Mike, in this somber mystery-drama from director Paul Haggis (CRASH).... [More]
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Frances Fisher, Susan Sarandon
Director: Paul Haggis
Reviews for In the Valley of Elah
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 4/5 |
Where Lions For Lambs stumbled, Haggis’ latest succeeds in putting dramatic form to the disquiet over US policy. Tommy Lee Jones’ performance, meanwhile, is impressive enough to make him a decent bet in this year’s Oscar race. Full Review |
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4/5 |
A sombre condemnation of US foreign policy, wrapped in an absorbing whodunit. Full Review |
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4/5 |
Jones’ Oscar-nominated performance is impeccably judged. His low-key turn as a man forced to question everything from the kind of father he was to the nature of the country he fought for could be the contender to give Daniel Day-Lewis a run for his money. Full Review |
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3.5/5 |
A powerful, imperfect drama let down by the playground polemic of a country still sending its children to be slaughtered overseas. Full Review |
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4/5 |
Powerful, downbeat drama with an anti-war message. Full Review |
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4/5 |
Click to read the article Full Review |
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4/5 |
Tense, powerful and considerably less crass than Crash, Elah may be jammed with ideas that don’t all connect, but Jones’ devastating performance makes this a compassionate and very human look at the Iraq conflict. Full Review |
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4/5 |
Haggis draws sensitive performances from his cast while asking provocative, important questions. Full Review |
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Condescending liberal dreck like In the Valley of Elah is just as awful as a thousand Fox-News commentators Full Review |
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3.0/5 |
In the Valley of Elah is a powerful, emotional indictment of what contemporary war can do to young men. It is a potent moral tale. This is not your father's war. Full Review |
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7/10 |
Jones's performance is quiet, intense, and stunning. Full Review |
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4/5 |
Un drama detectivesco conmovedor que termina siendo un alegato contra la guerra más contundente que cualquier discurso pacifista. Full Review |
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Regardless of which side of the political fence one sits on, 'In the Valley of Elah''s power can't be denied and the strong acting must be appreciated. Full Review |
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7/10 |
It's a quality film, but all the truly emotional moments come from watching and listening to the soldiers, which doesn't really happen until the very end. Full Review |
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8/10 |
It is extraordinary that a film this muted could resonate with a message this strong. Full Review |
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4/5 |
This is a beautiful film hiding the terrible truth that is the horror of war. Full Review |
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7/10 |
[Jones] makes the father's pride, determination, stubbornness, patriotism, and love extremely, utterly believable, sympathetic, and involving. Full Review |
CommentLatest News for In the Valley of Elah
February 18, 2008:
RT on DVD: Cram For The Oscars With Michael Clayton, In The Valley of Elah, And More Out This Week
Ready those Oscar ballots! With the Academy Awards around the corner, it's time to start catching up on what you missed in theaters. Snap up this week's offerings for... More...
January 24, 2008:
Director Paul Haggis on In the Valley of Elah: The RT Interview
We sit down with the Crash director and Bond scribe to find out more about his political latest, In the Valley of Elah. More...
January 10, 2008:
Amy Ryan and Greg Kinnear Join Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon in the Green Zone
"Making a movie about the war in Iraq" is quickly turning into just another way of saying "losing tons of money at the box office," but director Paul Greengrass isn't letting... More...
December 14, 2007:
Atonement, Control Lead London Film Critics Noms
The London Critics Circle has announced the nominees for its year-end awards, with Anton Corbijn's Control and Joe Wright's Atonement leading the pack at eight nominations apiece. More...
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