It was very good, but to be honest I was actually kind of disappointed in it. Considering that three of Paul Haggis's previous films are movies I considered phenomenal, I was actually expecting more from this. It's definitely the most subtle of his films thus far, which isn't a bad thing, but it really feels disjointed and almost like two different films by the end. One is the story of a father coping with his son's death and realizing that his child may not have been the ideal person he thought he was. The other is a murder mystery/detective story about a single mother just trying to do what is best for her family. Both stories have their successful elements, but in the end they are not resolved in a satisfying way. The son's backstory is basically abandoned in favor of making him seem like a hero, despite the fact that there was evidence that he tortured many soldiers overseas for pleasure. The detective story is also incredibly predictable from the getgo and the end result isn't very surprising. However, what saves this film from obscurity are the absolutely incredible performances by the talented ensemble. Tommy Lee Jones gives one of his strongest performances to date and is utterly believable and heartbreaking. Charlize Theron also delivers her strongest performance since her Oscar-winning turn in Monster. Susan Sarandon, despite her small amount of screentime, is also excellent. The story is also compelling for the most part and the film is very well-directed. I'd definitely recommend it on the strength of the performances alone, but I'm disappointed to say that this is not one of the year's best films.

B

Ha, I expected no less.

For quite a long while I was anticipating Paul Haggis' follow up to Crash, entitled In the Valley of Elah. Once I started hearing negative reviews, I started getting a bit discouraged and was worried that I wouldn't enjoy it. Thank god my anticipation was let down so much because this is plain and simple and awful film. The only good things about it were Tommy Lee Jones and the incredibly underused Susan Sarandon. The biggest shocker here is the Oscar winner Charlize Theron was absolutely terrible here and gives one of the year's very worst performances. She was just awful. This film was incredibly cheesy and I just loved how Haggis would randomly switch subjects during pieces of writing in the film. One moment they'd be talking about his son's passing away, the next moment they'd be talking about how awful tube socks were. Also, the movie was excruciating to sit through. I swear, it felt like it was at least four hours long. I really wish with all my heart I could recommend this movie but I just can't. It's a real turkey and a film I never plan on ever watching again.

4/10 (D+)

Well go figure, I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. A lot of people give Haggis an overwhelming amount of shit, but at least as a director he's twice now proven to have a great eye for camera placement and how to really elicit strong emotions out of the material. A lot of the film's strength undoubtedly comes from Tommy Lee Jones, whose just as great as everyone's been saying he is. If it's not a career best performance, it's at least not very far off. I think that the film may be suffering some Haggis backlash right now, but will be seen a few years from now as being quite good.

IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH - 6/10 (C+)

Not bad, but not that good either. Tommy Lee Jones isn't deserving of the Oscar nomination. I didn't really care about the big mystery that much, and I especially didn't care once the truth was revealed. It's probably pretty accurate to how some of the troops behave; abusing their power and such. It's a shame.

it's a solid drama with some great performances and a surprisingly un-bashing Paul Haggis leading the way. This is much quieter than his other work, which is a good thing. Didn't need that last scene, though.

B/B+

I really liked it. Very solid if a little too long at times. This is easily Tommy Lee Jones best role since the Fugitive. He was phenomenal with his conflicted hero and the dehumanizing is very effective by remaining subtle throughout. Theron is good and are the others, especially by Jason Patrick.

A-

The best army related thriller since A Few Good Men.

had good moments and has some truly awful moments. I did like TLJ in the film and i'm not pissed he got a nominated. Fuck that last scene though.


D+

why?

well...it's better than crash and i'm really glad tommy lee jones received an oscar nomination. performances were strong all around including the limited roles by Susan Sarandon, Frances Fisher, and Jake McLaughlin.

B

I think hatred for Haggis is overriding people perceptions of this film.
It actually seemed extremely removed from Crash to me. Haggis dialogue and directing is toned down about 9 notches from crash's constantly overboiled temperature and melodrama. Here Haggis actually lets things simmer and the result is generally positive. He actually is a very talented director no matter how hard loyal or anyone else tries to deny this, there are moments in both of these films were, if he had steered in the right direction, it could have been some truly moving and well done material. Here he is much closer than Crash was, and that makes me wonder if he will eventually develop this talent into a movie that I can call something better than "good"

I like this film, but it's redundant in its message and often gives into low-key but still corny and sentimental moments. I agree with Halper, the last scene is shit and really hurt the film, it was just a sending a message as to how obvious Haggis has to be with his final message, I think if he ever learned what subtlety was it would vastly help his films.

Tommy Lee Jones gives a very low-key (sorry for overusing that word, can't come up with a suitable synonym,) but excellent performance. I can see how people would think he wasn't worthy of a nom, but its just because he's so slow-burning and refuses to be overly dramatic, but it really was an excellent performance.

The rest of the cast ranges from good (most of the small roles) to pretty bad (Charlize Theron) but they are mostly irrelevant, its very much Jones' movie. The film can sometimes be boring, and is terribly slow, but it all sort of works the way it is. I wish it were a little more exciting, but I much prefer this to the unbelievable extents of drama in Crash. Overall it's a seriously flawed but admirable attempt at pointing out some important facts about war.

3/5

I had the DVD for over a year and ive never opened it. Its still wrapped in that evil plastic.

In the Valley of Elah

I'm super glad that I finally watched In the Valley of Elah (which was oddly pronounced as "Eli" in the film but I was sure it is "Ella"). My gran watched this back in 2007 and I didn't attend with her. She said it was very good, and indeed it is very good. There are two star performers. It has an accomplished supporting cast in Charlize Theron, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Jason Patric, and Susan Sarandon, but Tommy Lee Jones is sensational. He's the main reason this works. His character, an ex-military police officer, is organised and very particular and to the point. His comments are up-front, his logic undiminished. But he's also clearly working from his heart; a proud ex-soldier unraveling the truth that his son wasn't actually a saint (and that perhaps he wasn't either). The film has great back story by giving little hints away from time to time. It's a perfect role for him. His best performance since Batman Forever.

The other star is Roger Deakins. The cinematography elevates the film beyond what could otherwise be a bore. I loved the film. Every piece of dialogue seems important and when not it is loaded with back story. The plot unfolds at a perfect pace. The conclusion isn't the best, but it is fine enough.

It is strange how this film didn't really register on the awards circuit. I remember when it was released. It was part of the reason my gran went to see it. She loves to watch the "quality" movies in any given year and this was expected to be one of them (as it has the pedigree; director of Crash). We especially thought it might do well because Tommy Lee Jones had previously been in The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada and No Country for Old Men, two other slow-moving adult thrillers that were also praised by critics. As it turned out, it is quality, but it just didn't find much love besides Best Actor nomination at the Oscars, and Tommy Lee Jones' performance is better here than in those other two.

A-

Great film, Tommy Lee Jones brings his A-game in this engaging military-flavored murder mystery. I loved the whole cast actually in this film, that had gone under the radar for me for many years. Glad I recently discovered it, and as it turns out, one of the best gems of 2007. Haggis delivers a strong and well-paced story.

A-