In The Valley of Elah  (2007)

Don't lose two hours watching this complete boring rubbish movie. Go out and wash you car as you will get more satisfaction.

Is this a “damning indictment of the Iraq war”, or does it raise questions of morality, or even, because it is said to be based on a true story, does it tell us anything about Iraq veterans - NO NO NO! This is tripe, masquerading as an expose of “what terrible secrets the soldiers saw and endured in Iraq”. Selling films in an attempt to extract sympathy for Iraq veterans is shameful; and even worse, is expecting us to pay for the incompetent execution of that task, directed with not an ounce of military precision or emotional drama, both of which would be essential - if justice had truly been meant to have been done to the subject matter, and commercialisation not the raison d’être. Why do they make such utter rubbish? A murder mystery or CSI it is NOT - pretentious, resoundingly yes! Tommy Lee Jones must have been desperate to even consider making this film - however, money talks and is a good persuader (sorry about the split infinitive for the purists). The disjointed storyline, which can be condensed into 2 minutes, is about Jones’ son returning from Iraq, goes AWOL, is found dead; and Jones, an ex-MP, uncovers the truth behind his son’s murder - despite lazy and politically motivated Police (military and civilian). The pauses are deafening, and the grindingly slow pace of the film nothing but tedious. You need perseverance, if, after 10/20 minutes, you can be bothered who did what to whom or, even why!! The dialogue is turgid and often pointless - but some may like the 5 minutes taken to watch Jones shave, and cut himself then put tissue on the wrong spot; and even the relentless wastage of superfluous footage (driving, coffee/bar, and office scenes) - more to pad out the film than ever enhance or aid it?

Holds the attention well for two hours - a story of a former army man who has already lost one son and now loses another, and seeks to uncover the truth while the army tries to stop him. Tommy Lee Jones very good in the role, and Charlize Theron plays the police officer with great restraint. Also notable for showing a slice of real America, not glamorised at all. Film strikes a good balance between mysetery and anti-war, not too obviously polemical but makes audience questioning what Iraq is doing to ordinary soldiers. I enoyed it a lot, and a shame there were 95% empty seats in the cinema

Performances fine, but the whole story at over two hours long, could have been shortened to an hour and missed out oin nothing. You will see there are a whole screenload of pauses on the phone, pauses in conversations etc etc, which are I suppposed meant to heighten the stotry, but they just pad out a reasonable telling of a worthwhile true to life story. Could definately have been better but it is still worth a watch.

slow paced: yes ( well acted: yes (amazingly well acted) good story: yes lots of action and gunfights: no (this isnt Crank or Die Hard 4) thought provoking: yes (very true to life that nothing is black & white) pretentious: no (well, anything slow paced with a message could be seen as pretentious and self rightious but i personally didnt feel this was) well directed and shot: yes should you watch this? only if you really appreciate films, if you just wanna chill out or enjoy a gunfight you should probably look at somthing else....but i cant recomend this highlt enough

This is not a film that should be called tripe. Excellent script, shot brilliantly, very emotive. The characterisation is great. Tommy Lee Jones gives the performance of his career, Susan Sarandon is also excellent. Although classed as a who dunnit, I feel its main point is to show how war dehumanises the slodiers who are sent out to places that most of us are lucky enough to never have to go to and experience situations that nightmares are made of. If you enjoy thought provoking films that make you think for a few minutes longer than the time it takes to remove the dvd from the player, then rent this.

we really enjoyed this film, not the usual or expected USA view of war, much more personal and interesting

I didnt end up watching this as my boyfriends brother watched it first and said it was a whole lot of nothing! My boyfriend watched it and came up with the same conclusion so i never watched it i don't really recommend it!

Great names/actors,poor storyline,poor ending

IF YOU LIKE ACTION AND A GOOD STORY DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE. THEY ARE GOOD ACTORS WASTED. EVEN TOWARDS THE END OF THE FILM IT IS SLOW AND PREDICTABLE FOR AN EXCELLENT FILM WATCH THE BANK JOB

Having read some of the negative reviews, I could not disagree more. Tommy Lee Jones plays his role as army veteran father to perfection, while Charlize Theron continues to impress ; the supporting cast exhibit great ensemble acting . The film is emotionally, visually and verbally clean – no words are wasted, there are no fancy montages, and nothing which could take the viewer’s mind away from the brutal truth that the poetic ending brings around. Even the title is part of this incredibly succinct web. As explained by Jones’ character in the film, the Valley of Elah was where David defeated the giant Goliath armed only with a slingshot. The analogy is hard to miss. Jones’ character is fighting the US Army Goliath, swimming in a sea of red herrings but finally coming out on top using nothing but simple observation and silent determination. This is a beautiful film hiding the terrible truth that is the horror of war - it brutalises us all.

if you want a film to put you asleep this one works

The central plot is a father's (Tommy Lee Jones, who is simply magnificent in this film) attempt to find his son, who has just come back from a tour of duty in Iraq. The father is, himself, a former military policeman, steeped in a love/respect for the army. As the investigation turns in to a murder enquiry, the father discovers (via corrupted recordings on his son's mobile phone) what his son had actually been doing in Iraq, and what a devastating impact the conflict had had on the personality of the soldiers involved. Gradually the father's love and respect for the institution of the army and for his country whither away. It is a wonderfully written and produced 'look at what they have been doing and what that has done to them' message.

A harrowing rendition of what happens to people when you drain the humanity out of them to execute political whim. A really biting piece of social commentary, with excellent performances from all the players. There should be no more war, not ever.

I found this very slow and boring from the word Go. I kept hoping that it would build up to something major or exciting but it never happened! I wouldnt recomend this to anyone-dont waste your time on it!!

It bored me. I felt i didn't care after so long what it was about. The sinister feel that TOMMY LEE JONES portrays would seeming compelling enough to make you watch it.Its not,good acting from him,as always,just didn't the feel had enough to grab me for some reason.

And another belter from director Paul Haggis as we see Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones) a retired military policeman who lives quietly with his wife in Monroe a small town in Tennessee, who gets a call to say that his son, Mike (Jonathan Tucker) just back from 18 months' fighting in Iraq, is missing from his base and officially registered as AWOL .Encouraged by his wife Joan (Susan Sarandon) Hank drives to Fort Rudd, New Mexico, to search for him but within a few days his worse fears are realised when a body is discovered. However Hank is not happy with the explainations he receives from the military and pushes himself into the investigation, already marked by jurisdictional antagonism between the Army and local police,but his frustrations rise quickly to the surface as he smells s cover up . Enter detective Emily Sanders ( Charlize Theron) who also feels that all is not what it should be and despite scepticism from her all male colleagues including Chief Buchwald (Josh Brolin) she soldiers on with the investigation pushing all the boundaries as she cuts a swathe between the base and the police dept. Hank seems to close in on what really happened as a result of his dogged persistence. Scrutinizing credit card slips, some photographs, and video clips from Iraq that may hold the key. If Hank gets to the truth, what will it tell him? And is he prepared for the outcome? This is a quality production with excellent performances a subtle anti war film that just oozes class from start to finish. A story that will transfix you helped in no small way by the wonderful Tommy Lee Jones who is just terrrifc to watch. Watch this film you won't be disappointed.

This film was sooooooooooooo boring. Im not one for falling asleep in public places but this certainly made me not care if i started drooling on the person's shoulder sitting next to me!!! This film seemed to go on for hours and had i not just paid £7 for the privilege of watching it at the cinema, i would have left alot earlier. I wanted it to be really fast paced and get me intrigued but it just got me bored!!

DULL,DULL,DULL.....when you look at the actors in this rubbish ,it should have been so much better,I cant believe I wasted my time watching it !?

This film is a true great. Not spectacular; Not a thrill; Not even scary, but truely frightening. It shows what war can do to someone, and its impact on those around. I shows hat the vicims of war are often those who survive. It is not a polemic against the occupation of Iraq, but more a slantways look on the price which is too often paid by those last able to afford it. It is very well written and directed, and the acting is a superb example of 'Less is more'. A film to make you think, don't bother if you are under 25, you won't get it.

This is one of those films that you half watch and half look out the window,all in all best to find a better film to watch than waste a couple hours with this. Unless you need some sleep

Tommy Lee Jones is a fine actor. This is a good solid film with good performances all round.

rubbish ending ..........oooh ill never join the army now im too scared!

I found the film to be very slow and very boring but was determined to watch it until the very end after hearing so many good things about it. I was glad i did. Although it is slow in the making, the story builds to finish with a fantastic ending and more films should be made around this subject. It is a film that makes you think rather than something that is entertaining.

ok film makes you think,true story

This movie started out great. Well acted and the story was really involving. However, what let this movie down for me was as the murder mystery unravelled, there were flaws in the plot/investigation which didn't add up and it was too conveniently wrapped up. It seemed to me that the writers didn't know how to end the story and hoped the general public wouldn't pick up on the investigative mistakes that were brushed over. It started out a 4 star movie but ended up with 2 stars.

It would be good for us all to watch this even if it only confirms what we already know, that war diminishes us all.

Very good,did not disappoint

It's not often I get to say a film is hopeless, but this one fits the bill to the 't'! This is one of the most lacklustre (despite the talent) and most depressing film. I think the makers of the film were trying to imply the atrocities of the Iraq war on the American soldiers, but to me the film highlighted the futility of war and how it brings out a man's darkest side.I found the film a hope-less one because at the centre of the film we see how the two main characters seem to be incapable of helping those that are reaching out to them for help. Both of them seem intent on wanting to know what happened to the dead soldier yet, but I felt this was driven by both character's own ineptness. Most of all this is a film about a father's relationship with his son, and how the son felt he needed to be a soldier to be acknowledged and loved by his cold, unresponsive father. The extreme measures the son took to have his father's love, his 'dehumanisation' (e.g. he would poke his hand into a terrorist's wound and ask if it hurt and then do it again and again. This was found to be funny! More like inhumane and beastly), and then his cry for help, only to be ignored and the result was him losing his life, among his own kind. I think the film could have been shorter and perhaps it wouldn't have felt that it was moving along so slowly. Not the type of film I would recommend if you're feeling cheery, as the melancholy of the movie and subject matter will be hard to watch till the end.

We could not take our eyes off this film both times we watched it. The story is gripping, the acting mesmerising whilst the direction and story line make this the best of several good Iraq war films that we have seen recently. Do yourself a favour and watch this.

Although Tommy Lee Jones gives a very good performance - this is not reallya very entertaining movie and I found it slow and unrewarding. OK for a cold wet night - if you want to be a little more depressed by he fultility of war.

This film is ok but after about an hour I was so tempted to switch off due to nothing actually happening. Story is ok idea but takes ages to get going, and by the end you feel you have wasted two hours of your life.

sooo boring. doesn't at all show anything resembling army life, the realities of war or the potential 'come down' after returning from an operational theatre. please, please, please down bother.

Was again dissapointed in this Tommy Lee Jones film. There was not enough action or intrigue _ sorry but this film is near the bottom of my list.

This is a thought-provoking, well written, well acted film. Watch it!

A steady ploding film that promises much but just dosn't deliver at the end ....disappointing !!!

This film was brilliant. It is an well written, thought provoking, moving film and is not boring or too long as some people have written. If you have a short attention span then maybe this isn;t the film for you. It is a very real film and does not deserved to be called Tripe!!!! What a performance by Tommy Lee Jones

I waited and waited but nothing happened... Truely awful.

could of been done in half the time long drawn out crap

terrible slow plodding boring not recommended

Anyone who has seen director Paul Haggis Oscar winning movie Crash ( a worthy but heavy handed drama on race relations for those that haven’t seen it) would be forgiven for expecting more of the same from In The Valley Of Elah. However writer and director Haggis has delivered a far more subtle examination of war and it’s effects on those who have to fight them. In this he is helped considerably by terrific performances from a stellar cast. Retired army officer Hank Deerfield ( Tommy Lee Jones) receives a phone call to tell him that his son recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq has gone AWOL from his army base. Leaving his wife Joan (Susan Sarandon) behind this stoical man sets off in his pick up to see if he can shed any light on his sons disappearance. Has the lad just gone off with a woman for the weekend ? , has he actually done a bunk or is there something more sinister behind it? When a dismembered and badly burnt corpse is discovered near the base a laborious and meticulous investigation begins with Hank eliciting the help of local law enforcement officer Det Emily Saunders ( Charlize Theron ) a single mother also struggling with the endemic sexism of her workplace and the jurisdictional politics of the case. Here we have a film with an agenda but this gradually unfurls as Hank clinically discovers his sons fate. We see this through his eyes as he views mobile phone footage from Iraq and discovers that the system and life he has admired and followed all his adult life ( its pertinent that we see him still carry out his army rituals - creasing trousers, tucking in his bedding etc) is implicit in his sons fate. That in fighting a stupid war thousands of miles away America is f***king up a generation of young men .(several of the young men playing soldiers in the film had actually served in Iraq) Many will find In The Valley Of Elah far too ponderous . The film like it’s main character takes its time in getting where it is going . Neither is Hank the most engaging character but Tommy Lee Jones gives a superbly nuanced and reined in performance ,his craggy visage rarely betraying too much .Lee does his acting with his eyes and it is especially effective in the scenes where Hank discovers shocking truths or has to confront the consequences of his sons fate head on Okay the symbolism is a little too heavy handed at times -and the David and Goliath metaphor left me a little puzzled -something about facing up to monsters? But the final conclusion that a nation cannot expect to send young men off to war to do and see horrible things and then accept them back into normal society with no recriminations is difficult to argue with , especially as this film is based on a true incident.

Do not be put off from seeing this wonderful film. The story of a fathers search for his son, finding him and having to deal with the reality of ensuing and shocking revelations, is beautifully told and the understated acting on the part of all the principals superb. The juxtaposition of the secondary story line and the unfolding drama involving Charlene Theron's character, dovetails perfectly in demonstrating the heavy price we pay when men are robbed of their humanity. Intelligent and provocative, this is solid food for thought. Superb.

Tedious and boring - pace is grindingly slow. Don't bother

Nauseating anti-American propaganda!

this film was worth watching but probally wouldnt watch again

Paul Hagas's 'In the Valley of Elah' follows carefully and closely all the long held and well affirmed standards of any good murder mystery. For anyone who really enjoys this Genre you won't be disappointed. That being said I believe the performances also strengthen this story. Tommy Lee Jones hands in a subdued yet internally complex performance the like I've never seen him do before. He is tough and yet has the sensitivity necessary to drive the character along to where it needs to go. Susan Sarandon gives a strong performance as the mother of a missing soldier. She is placed in the position of an actress having to create a great role from a small part and pulls it off by tapping what must be very heartfelt emotions. Ms. Theron is good and carries off her part well. She is once again not afraid to look bad in order to carry a role. It is a good performance...that's all. I'm not writing home to Mom over it though. The rest of the cast is very strong and gives me great hope for the future of Film making in this country. The cast works well together and makes a compelling story. The part of this film that is the Star and center piece is Paul Hagas's script. He sets up the characters and situations in a direct and fast manner. The storyline is consistent and flows well and as I mentioned he follows the correct direction that any good murder mystery should. He also makes us aware of the growing struggles of our soldiers and what is going on as a result of this war in Iraq. Please see this film and look at it for what it is...a good mystery with great performances.

Wonderful, acting so good it looks real, not a clear cut anti-war polemic and all the better for it. Yet again, not for the Neanderthals.

An ok film that I would say was watchable but that is all. It didn't really grip me but I am not dissapointed to say that I rented a rubbish movie but at least I didn't have to turn it off half way through!

I would not recommend this film, I like Tommy Lee and he is about the only good thing about the movie. Very long - in fact way to long and so slow that it becomes boring so much so that in the end you don't really care about why or how or what happened to his son anyway! Sling shot this movie out of the window and don't' waste your time!

Tommy Lee Jones - excellent as always. Slightly depressing movie but well worth watching for the acting and the messages contained therein.

Glad I didn't read other viewers opinions or I might not have bothered with what is an engrossing film, not a routine murder mytery, but a story that digs beneath the surface of the war in Iraq and the effect it has on ordinary young men sent to fight there. If it ran for over two hours, itdidn't seem like it. Excellent performances from the leads. Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron.

Can warfare really de-humanise to the extent portrayed in this film ?. Makes you think. TLJ was very good, his pauses are masterly.

Great performances and strong story, definitely worth a view.

I really wanted to enjoy this movie. Had a super cast, promising teaster of U.S conspiricy joined with military action.... all good on paper. This movie is dullest I've seen in ages. Slow beyond belief, you spend the whole time waiting for the 'action' - or at least something to spike your imagination. There is nothing wrong with slower movies that take you on a ride that inspires thought or provokes a topic of conversation - but this dud had neither. Shameful waste of all these award winnning actors - although Charlize did manage to shine through on occasion. To top it all off the ending was totally corny and made me angry I'd wasted 2 hours watching this movie.

very good film, little action but very intense storyline..

Although I like most films with Tommy Lee Jones in this was not one of his best. The film dragged and I almost lost interest. Only Tommy Lee's character kept me watching until the end.

do not hire waste of time long and drawn out needed a sleep after it

The story line in this film was not very believable and the acting was unconvincing. I am a fan of Tommy Lee Jones but was very disappointed.

This is a bleak and understated film but it has considerable power. A father is informed that his son, who is in the US Army, has gone missing. The father, played by Tommy Lee Jones, travels to the base and starts to investigate. Soon his son's charred and scattered remains are found and so a murder investigation begins. The military police and the civilian police spend much of their time trying to push jurisdiction onto each other. Meanwhile, the father doggedly sorts out the mystery step by step. He is helped, reluctantly at first, by a detective, played by Charlize Theron. And in the end, she sticks out her neck for him. At the end, she is obviously very fond of him. The detective bit is really a framework for Jones's investigation of his son's character, his reaction to Iraq and his own personality. Tommy Lee Jones plays a man who rarely smiles, indeed his face is like a mask for much of the time. Is he emotionally frozen by nature? He is tough and relentless in pursuing his goals yet one suspects there is hidden warmth. Jones almost has to avoid acting to bring it off, which he does brilliantly. The human landscape is matched by the relentless ugliness of the Army Base and the small town. They seem indistinguishable. The Valley of Elah is where David defeated Goliath. Tommy Lee tells this biblical tale to Charlize's child at bedtime, having refused to read from one of the books. Why does he chose this story and why is the film named after it? This is not an action movie. It is much more cerebral than that and you need to have your wits about you to unravel it.

Subtle, understated. The film that needed to be made and best about the war so far. surprisingly brave.

We thought this was a good film overall. It's a story about war, and the realities of it, how it affects the soldiers and their families.. There is a few gruesome sequences, and also some dilemnas, which will always argue the case of who is right and who is wrong, and what would you do if you were in their boots...

Don't do it, really, don't. After half an hour I wanted to turn it off, but felt compelled to watch till the end incase it got good. It didn't. Unbelieveably boring (I am a war films fan too) and I honestlyI can't remember the last time I saw a film that was so dull. It concentrated far too heavily on things that were just so irrelevant. Like he has a shave, he cuts himself, ohh that hurt. He sticks some tissue on it, Oh ok then! Even the conclusion was dull and a complete non event. Two hours of my life I will never get back. I think I might have to watch Shawshank now to try to cancel out the injustice somehow!

this is a great 'whodunnit' movie, don't miss it!!!!

Sorry did'nt have time to watch. getting married so have had to down scrib slightly until we have more time.

This was a really thought provoking drama from paul(crash)haggis well paced and well directed. But this film is all about one thing tommy lee jones,he is an absolute revelation perfectly portraying a retired military police officier looking in to the mysterious death of his son who has just returned back from a tour of duty in iraq. His peformance is spot on from the start being this hard emotionless ex military man(look for the part when his son is crying to him on the phone whilst in iraq)right to the end when he himself could not control his own emotions any longer. Overall a very good drama with an excellent leading mans performance,avoid if your expecting a happy ending.

A slow, harrowing drama with a excellent performaces from Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron. The setting is gritty and bleak, the story explores the hardened hearts of soldiers and the attitudes of small town police. The film finishes with a brilliant understated twist, adding much needed warmth to the story.

Any film with Tommy Lee in it you would expect to be class. He was, the film wasn't, all it ended up being was a search for his missing son and a pursuing murder enquiry, just another twist to the most common story.

A thoroughly absorbing film, superbly acted by the main protagonists Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron. The film raises many questions and does not really offer any answers but invites us to reflect on the issues it raises. The extras are well worth a look too, particularly the interview with Director, Paul Haggis, as he talks about his struggle to get this story told. Well worth a watch.

I was left thinking that this film def had a message in it...quite anti USA in terms of the war on terror, and also what people are capable of. Did enjoy this film, and we were quite absorbed by it. Good acting throughout, coupled with a good story. The hype we'd heard about it was relevent.. def worth a watch

Deeply sincere and well shot. Silences and the filming of empty and barren urban land-scapes ehderscore the sense of alienation that infects all the men who have served in the deeply compromised and illegal war in Iraq. The sense of shame and the burden of culpability are potent.

Enjoyed this very much, do like Tommy Lee, very watchable.

It's a good film but probably not one of the cheeriest! Tommy Lee is awesome. Despite it being slow moving it manages to keep you hooked all the way through. Definitely makes you think and a tear jerker. So don't get it if you want cheering up!

Tommy Lee Jones once again excells in this modern day Deerhunter style modern war movie. well worth seeing

as they say..if you only see one film this year , see this one. it is dark;powerful;thought provoking and lingers long in the mind weeks after watching...tommy lee jones is hypnotic.

It would not be difficult to top their next movies.

Rented this mainly because I like Tommy Lee Jones he was very good in it thought the film was missing something. But it did have a few memorable moments in it.

I liked this movie , it was well paced and kept me engrossed , I was'nt expecting much but found myself warming to the plot , as soon as the authorities case was blown apart due to the politicking of the army and the local law enforcement it became apparent that there was a lot more to this film than a macabre drug slaying. The footage on the phone brings together the horrors of Iraq and the situation the Americans are facing , there inexpeience in this type of warfare is highlighted cleverly in my opinion. A worthwhile watch I dont think you will be disapointed .

Fantastic film and well worth watching. Had me gripped all the way through to the end.

Dont usually write that many reviews, but felt I had to let y'all no this is pants!!! Great cast, but poor characters. Wrote another review with spoilers, so I feel it is my duty to tell you to avoid this. I got it cos it had a high rating, even tho I didn't fancy it much. Don't fall in to that trap.
Only wrote this cos you might not read the other cos it might spoil the film for you!!!!
DON'T GET IT....IT WILL SPOIL YOUR SATURDAY NIGHT...WATCH FAMILY FORTUNES

This film stands up to closer scrutiny than many covering the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts by focussing on the affect war can have on soldiers mental state. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the film and felt that the 'message' underpinning the movie was fully conveyed by some great acting from the lead roles.

The ever-wonderful Tommy Lee Jones gives another amazingly affecting performance in this fantastic film about a father's search for the truth about what has happened to his soldier son. Charlize Theron is also wonderful as a sympathetic detective and even though she's obviously playing down her looks here for the role she still looks beautiful and is incredibly good in this film. These two superb actors at the top of their game wonderfully portray the growing trust and empathy between the distraught father and the detective who gradually comes to realise that his fears and suspicions are well founded.

I usually find American films always tend to be a bit 'Hollywood'. Bigger, over the top, louder......you get my drift. So I was quite supprised when I watched this. Gloomy and quite serious but with a wonderful storyline and acted out quite well. With the war going on at the moment, it made the storyline very believable. Well worth watching.

Excellent detective film set in US army barracks. Very Sad, but extremely well acted

slow. dull. a waste of valuable breathing time.

With superb acting & an excellent script 'In The Valley Of Elah' is one of those movies which stays with you long after you have watched it. Like 'Crash' before it this movie is like a jigsaw, with each piece being firmly locked into place until we are left with a harrowing & brutal picture of the events leading up to & surrounding Tommy Lee Jones' son's murder. Tommy Lee Jones is brilliantly cast as a retired Military Police investigator who conducts his own private investigation into the murder of his soldier son. He is aided by Police Detective Charlize Theron. Theron plays the detective brilliantly &, although all the suspects are all introduced ealry on in the movie, the twist at the end is a total shock. The acting by all the characters in the movie in both the main & supporting roles is superb. The movie paints a deeply harrowing picture of the effects that the current war in Afghanistan & Iraq can have on the troops out there. 'In The Valley Of Elah' is an extraordinary film cementing Paul Haggis' reputation as one of the leading filmakers of our time. If you thought 'Crash' was a one off, think again.

A film with a very deep, troubling message. Extremely good acting by Tommy Lee Jones and Susan Saradon - why did they not receive awards? Perhaps the story line was too close to the truth for comfort. I am not easily moved by films, but this one certainly got to me.

i didn't like it much, found it quite long and boring, it has a good story but you lose alot of that waiting for something good to happen. quite dull and boring.

Great characters, beautifully shot, good story, not much to complain about here. Tommy Lee Jones gives a terrific performance as the father fighting with the grief of losing both of his sons. Charlize Theron gives her typical solid performance as the female police officer struggling in a masculine dominated profession. Roger Deakins' style permeates the entire production and as a result looks amazing. Would definitely buy this and watch again.

fair to watch good acting

ANOTHER WASTE OF TIME..AT FIRST ONE THINKS THAT THERE COULD BE A GOOD PLOT UNFOLDING?BUT THEN AS IT UNFOLDS AND APPEARS YOU BEGIN TO THINK..WHAT????? I THINK THE WRITER GOT TIRED HALF WAY THROUGH AND DECIDED TO JUST GO FOR A FEW BEERS AND SOD THE PLOT! DONT WASTE YOUR TIME..PITY A GOOD ACTOR LIKE TLJ GOT TIED UP WITH IT !!WORSE FILM I'VE SEEN HIM IN!!

A chilling film about the effects of war. The film is slow, and shows veteran army man (Jones) going through various army instilled rituals. Its not a feel good film, but makes you appreciate soldiers and consider the point of war.

You have to stick with it as its not very action-packed, but it kept me interested.

a bit slow going but well acted,and with charlise theron in it,made me happy

Any film with Tommy Lee Jones in is one to see as far as I am concerned and this didn't disappoint. The film is gripping but I will agree with some of the other reviewers that it is perhaps a bit slow and overlong. Tommy Lee Jones' performance is as always brilliant. You see a hardened war veteron battling with the grief of losing yet another son and his steely determination to discover exactly what happened to him, despite coming up against brick walls at every turn. Charlize Theron's performance as a woman battling against the sexism and misogyny of her police department is excellent. She is a chameleon of an actress and can look so different in every film she is in that you barely recognise her as the beautiful, glamourous woman you see in the glossies. Susan Sarandon' part in the film is not big, put the scenes in which she features are beautifully and subtly portrayed. Though in my view very good, this is a dark and ultimately depressing film that opens your eyes to what modern warfare does those that are involved in it. There is no glamour or glory. The idealistic young men who go out to fight in places like Iraq and Afganistan, wanting do their duty for their country, return as totally different beings whose morals and sense of right and wrong has been totally skewd by what they have seen and experienced. If you are looking for a film to brighten your day, this certainly isn't it, but if you have a couple of spare hours, enjoy excellent performances, are looking for a film that will grip, involve and move you, then this is definitely worth seeing.

Good film, very good acting, worth watching

2 films starring Tommy Lee Jones and including Josh Brolin in 2 nights. This wasn't as gripping as 'No Country for Old Men' but did hold our attention for the evening. Acting excellent especially Charlize Theron. Sometimes it was difficult to distinguish between one shaven headed soldier and another but may that was deliberate. Paul Haggis 's direction was excellent - almost as good as that in 'Million Dollar Baby'. Must look out for more films with these actors and by this director.

As soon as this began, I realised I'd had it before so I didn't watch it again! The above is my review for the previous time!

I like Tommy Lee Jones, and he still played his part well, a bit of a slow film, that tended to flit about a bit, but still enjoyable. Worth seeing

Excellant, very grafic scenes, not for young children. Opens your eyes as to what goes on in the current war situation.

Very deep film that as a few slow bits in it but the acting of tommy lee jones more than makes up for these

i thought this film was very good it had a great actor in tommy lee jones and that girl from the devils advocate this film explored the emotions and none emotions in the end of soldiers and made u realize that threw war comes out a different person. great film

Tommy Lee Jones is very special. Excellent acting throughout - more American films like this - please. Good follow up to Crash, well directed and a first rate screen play.

Good storyline but a little slow, however, I did enjoy it

Tommy Lee Jones seems to get better roles the older he gets. I enjoyed this movie; the acting storyline and directing were close to perfect.

It's about time they started to release some films with a story, and this is one. Tommy Lee Jones is always on top form, and Charlize Theron proves again that she's not just a pretty face.

A well acted film with Tommy Lee Jones at his best. Only down side was i felt that it was a touch long and the outcome was a bit predictable.

Good acting, emotional story - but not really exciting

this was a brilliant film- the acting was great for such a serious plot

Brilliant portrayal of a very plausible scenario. Tommy Lee Jones as the bereaved father of a murdered serviceman plays a very credible role in what I found a thoroughly engaging plot. I would recommend this to anyone.

In the Valley of Elah” tells the story of a war veteran (Tommy Lee Jones), a man of bible his wife (Susan Sarandon) and the search for their son, a soldier who recently returned from Iraq but has been killed, and the police detective (Charlize Theron) who helps in the iTommy Lee in the investigation of the crime. The title The valley Elah is the location of the battle of David and Goliath in the bible and is metaphor from Tommy Lee Jones struggle against the Army and the local police to find out the truth about his son. This film sets out to be a voyage of discovery for the father (Tommy Lee) about the son and has an interesting twist in the tail. I found the film engaging and came away from viewing it with alsorts of questions, however i doubt everyone will. The film has a few twists and turns and for the most part is pedictable until the end squences. Worth a look.

Not a bad film but I was glad when it was over. Dragged in places - actually a lot of places. Needed a little more action to keep you interested. Tommy Lee Jones I find annoying in his old age - he has forgotten about pronunciation and just mumbles every line.

Despite being a fan of Tommy Lee Jones this was a bit long drawn out and for me not particularly memorable!

good film managed to keep both my husband and me watching it through out, would watch it again.

Tommy Lee carries this film,a good story and a good ending,no punches pulled.

Another version of how war f***s you up. Soldiers brutalised by war (this time Iraq) and unable to come to terms with what they have witnessed or even been part of, act out their war games back home among their trailer trash neighbours. Performances are good - but it's been done before and ultimately these films begin to merge into one another.

You will like this one if you like seeing Tommy Lee Jones in a more serious role. Despite it's initial slowness, I think this film deserves praise as it bears a few strong points on what war does to people and returning soldiers. There's a good plot with an interesting twist at the end.

Tommy Lee never fails!

Tommy Lee Jones is excellent as a dad trying to find out what has happended to his son who has just returned from Iraq. Some of the things that happen in this film are shocking and not for the faint hearted. Charlize Theron is excellent as the cop trying to do the right thing.

thought it was a bit sad but good fiilm bit heavy in parts

An excellent movie with terrific acting. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a good thriller well presented.

This is an OK movie but got a little bit boring. Carlize Theron stopped me from going to sleep.

Not what i expected, very slow

Tommy Lee Jones is superb in this captivating look at the effects the War in Iraq has on young US soldiers. This film offers a completely different angle that I haven't seen before in any war film. Watching this movie is time well spent!

gritty & brutal - paints the US army in a very harsh light. jones and theron's performances are outstanding.

This has a very strong moral message about the social impact on Amercian soldiers serving in Iraq. Tommy Lee Jones is as watchable as ever and the revelations in the final 10 minutes round off the film nicely. However much of the time the film plods along with very little happening and its too long for it's subject matter.

Expected better from the cast the flashbacks need concentration to fully understand what has is going on, It does become clear but is not as you would expect

I suppose it all comes down to David and Goliath.... The system puts us into a situation demanding to act in a certain way, and, for whatever reason, if you fail to act civilised you eventually loose the ability to work out what is right from wrong .The consequences escalate and become unrepairable. Excellent acting performance from Tommy Lee Jones as per usual. The flag on its head says it all.

... not five star material as the powerful cast might have suggested. Good stuff overall but not enough made of Susan Sarandon's character - a serious flaw in my view.

EXPECTED BETTER WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE CAST BUT IT WAS A BIT SLOW.

A bit average, nothing against it, its not a bad story just a bit average, and slightly predictable.

I enjoyed this film, it isnt neccessarily a typical war related film but it is thought provoking though not for the stereo-typical reasons. Tommy Lee jones is his usual fantastic self and if you are a fan of his then you will enjoy him in this. Worth watching, not 'first date' material as its kind of gloomy!

borderline average , theres nothing new here!

a remarkable film, in the usual high standard of tommy lee jones well worth watching, and leaves a haunting impression for those of us with family in the military personel

Dragged in parts and couldnt warm to the characters. The wife could have been played by an unknown for the amount she was in it..... what a waste of a good actress.

This was absolutely excellent. I couldn't believe I had never heard of it until now and that Tommy Lee Jones didn't receive an oscar for his performance in this film. It tells a very disturbing story of a man searching for his son who has gone awol from the army, the conspiracies and terrible truths he turns up along the way. Charlize Theron was very good in this, but I really felt Tommy Lee Jones stole the show. If you liked A Few Good Men or The General's Daughter, you will enjoy this much more understated attempt to show the corruption of the american military forces. I couldn't recommend this enough.

I'd half expected a 'No country for old men' clone as Tommy Lee sometimes seems prone to make. Think of some that followed the Fugitive. But its not at all. Tommy Lee is quietly convincing as a competent retired Military Policeman - who clearly has some issues. The film probably promises more than it delivers, because the story is (eventually) very simple. The pace is rather slow but it keeps your interest - well it kept mine - but not quite in the 'where did that coupla hours go?' way. So far this doesn't read like a ringing endorsement and that's about right. Four stars might be a bit high but three would be too low.

Excellent film, good storyline and well acted. Would recommend

Great film right up to the end when frankly I felt a bit let down..

Only the presence of Tommy Lee Jones carried this particular piece.

Very good. A good story bringing home the horrible effects of war.

Super film. A bit slow in places but that went with the slow southern drawl. Well thought out plot and direction. Had to use the subtitles at times to see what they were saying.

Definitely worth renting

I had high expectations given the cast list and certainly as far as Tommy Lee Jones is concerned, I was not disappointed. I felt it was one of his best performances on film. Jones plays the role of a career soldier, having served 30 years as a military policeman, who just can't let go of his past life in the military. Both of his sons followed him into the army and his youngest son disappears shortly after returning from active service in Iraq (or 'Eye-rack' if you're fom the US!). The way Jones sympathetically plays the role of hard-nosed ex-military cop against his other role as worried and proud father is masterful and to me was the highlight of the film. Sadly, both Susan Sarandon and Miss Thereon are vastly underused and sidelined to bit part players and consequently you don't get to feel the true potential of their character's pysche. A shame, given their known hugely talented abilities. The tension isn't immense, nor is the plot overly complicated. In fact, I was rather disappointed with the lack of any twists or turns. The ending is also rather lacklustre too. The film moves at a slowish pace but at least it does move forward - don't expect an all out Bruce Willis-style actioner though! The plot has great potential that I just didn't feel was exploited enough and consequently, the film suffers as a result. A good film but could, and should have been superb. Worth watching for Tommy Lee Jones performance though.

was not sure what to expect from the film but it turned out to be very good!!

Wonderful performances from Jones and Theron who are on a mission to track down the murderers of Jones son, newly arrived back from Iraq. Lovely to see Charlize in another meatier role as the Detective in charge, her blond locks a more natural brown and with little make up. She is a real talent. I don't understand others comments about the pauses being too long, they helped in the understanding of the complicated plot and added to the atmosphere created by the films superb Director.

Excellently shot and casted, TLJ is getting warmed up for No Country in this role. He just gets better and better. I thought Sarandon was a bit wasted on this and could have been weaved in more, but a small point. The only thing that absolutly ruined the neding was the awful Annie Lenox song at the end, just made me feel ill, really bad choice of music in what was a great score through out. A slice of reality pie for the legacy of the Iraq War.

not for the faint hearted, half way between the a silent witness and action thriller.

Well acted and decent story although Susan Sarandon is somewhat wasted. Not top knotch but it kept me interested and did not drag.

This is a film for smart people, and i mean that in a good way, its clever, dark yet illuminating. Tommy Lee Jones & Charlize Theron are subtle yet fantastic.

Having seen first hand close friends in the US military who have returned from Iraq after 12-15 month tours, and the effects that it had on all of them, I found this film especially interesting. The two incidents (one the focal point and one less so, but still shocking) in this movie committed by returned soldiers are both based on actual events, as returning soldiers face a crisis assimilating back into 'normal' society (with little help from the military its self), having spent a long period in a highly stressful environment totally unimaginable to most of us. This film was poignant, well written and thought provoking, and at no point did my attention stray. Superb performances and a harsh reminder of what people can be capable of, under certain circumstances. Don't rent it if you like those big budget action movies, but if you want something with depth, message and a plot, with some great actors, this is a good choice.

Just too boring for me, no action..plot ok but no real twists that create a sense of a good film.

Dragged somewhat: Excellent acting however disappointed that Sarandon wasn't given more input into the film but what she did was good. Would not watch this again given a choice.

Can't remember much about it - suppose that speaks volumes really.

Rented this on the basis of the trailers but was hugely disappointed at the slow pace and ending. I wouldn't say it was rubbish at all, but I thought it was going to be a rivetting watch. Story was a bit lame, and as mentioned by others here, it did drag on longer than was necessary.

I wasn't very pleased at receiving this movie, because I didn't really know what to expect. But whoaa, was I proven wrong! This is an extremely good movie, which is well worth watching. Although I thought the storyline and the plot would be the most interesting thing in this movie, I realized that, in the end, the whole 'investigation' bits of the movie are just secondary. What really makes this movie so amazing is the acting: Tommy Lee Jones, Susan Sarandon and Charlize Theron play incredibly believable characters, and convey genuine emotions. Instead of watching a movie, I almost felt I was watching a documentary, with real people, real lives, and real drama. Ultimately, this movie is an excellent reflection on the way in which the war in Iraq is affecting American society, yet it does not score cheap political points nor, for that matter, does it entirely take sides. Watch this after seeing 'Gunner Palace' and you will understand that this is not fiction, it's reality!

didnt really watch it fell a sleep sorry

Not a bad film, but I couldn't help feeling that I had been shortchanged at the end; felt as though something was missing; or expected more from the film

I had to watch the trailer twice to see if i wanted to watch this film but im glad i did rented this film out. Quite gross in places but a very good modern story, well shot and scripted and works very well, with a surprise kinda ending. If u like political thrillers and murder mystery films u will like this one.

In this film we finally saw some acting by the major stars!! And the plot made you stop and think about wars and the actual effect it has on people!!

hard to keep a track of this film... and were left at the end like what???

This film is an interesting attempt to put a father son relationship under the microscope. The son is dead but that does not stop the father searching for his lost boy. It is the dilema of fathers and sons everywhere that they often do not attempt to really connect with each other and death separates them forever. For me this was the main theme of this film and the backdrop of an unjust war in Iraq and the dehumanising effects of military life was just that - a backdrop. I would agree that the film is too long and inserts too many side issues. There is still much to enjoy, not least a career best acting performance from Tommy Lee Jones.

not a film i could recommend it at all. sorry click on another film

I always find that Tommy Lee Jones stars in interesting films. This one met my expectations.

In the Valley of Elah was a good film but a bit predictable. The acting was superb, especially Tommy Lee Jones but the ending was expected. The flashbacks are good and build a picture of Tommy Lees character's son (won't say any more than that). Worth a watch but rent rather than buy. Not an instant classic. If you like Tommy Lee, watch The Fugitive instead as it flows better and there is an unexpected twist in the end. 'In The Valley of Elah' was a 7/10.

Based on a true story, I liked this more before I saw No Country for Old Men. Not that there's any direct correlation (apart from Tommy Lee Jones). What comes from this film is a subtle message about how soldiers are brutalised. It is worth a look, if only to get a picture of how war affects our troops now.

A lovely tale about a father looking for his missing son

This film is quite slow, but keeps you interested. Highlights the problems that soldiers suffer after war.

If you like Tommy Lee Jones then you will probably like this film which is basic fodder. I didnt like it all that much as i have seen Tommy Lee in so many similar roles. Personally i would rather have watched 'No country for old men' again which showed the lead actor in much better form.

Quite a slow film, never really got going in my view

It is based on a true story and it could only be since something this unbelievable cannot be made up. Very interesting. P.S. Why is it that suddenly all movies I see star Josh Brolin?

This movie starts slowly but develops into a thriller when slowly some developments happens. The movie message is great. I liked it. But the pace is quite slow and sometimes it drags. However, not a bad watch

without reservation a finally acted, suspensful anti-war film that didn't over-state its case.

This film really brought across the dehumanising effects of war. The former Military Police man Tommy Lee Jones on his quest to find his son begins to see what has become of him in the hands of his army buddies. They are so damaged by the whole war process that they have lost the ability to even know how to react to an everyday situation. Tommy Lee Jones as the father was totally convincing less so Charlize Theron as the cop who could not care less but eventually comes round to assist Tommy Lee.

Sorry, but after all the hype over this film I was expecting a lot more. Tommy Lee Jones plays a rude, obnoxious, ex-military MP who is trying to find out what has happened to his son. He is helped in all this by Charlieze Theron ( who I did not recognise as she is wearing no make up). The story is so slow that anyone who is suffering from insomnia, all they have to do is place this in the DVD player and you'll fall asleep in no time! Sorry - but BORING BORING BORING

good entertaining film worth a watch

With Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron you would have reason to expect a good film. To be fair they both put in a decent performance however the story, although interesting at first, does not finish well at all and was quite an anticlimax. A shame really as it promised a lot.

Not up to Tommys' usual standard of acting, slightly out of character. Story too long by far, could have been done a lot better.

Always good to see Tommy Lee Jones and he usually chooses some good films .This was one of them very enjoyable.

Fine performances, subtle writing and haunting images will give this film a longer shelf-life than its box-office returns might suggest. What promises to be a grim and gritty detective thriller about the fate of an AWOL soldier ultimately refuses to yield up any easy answers and is a thing to treasure for just that reason. No easy political line on the Iraq war is trotted out here; just a solid, well paced and incisive piece of drama determined to show the moral complexities of so-called civilised nations sending their citizens to fight humanitarian wars.

If you created a ticky box list of must haves when creating great drama, this film would successfully cover every one. Great story adapted into a superb screenplay, top class performances by every lead and support, and direction that only helps to enhance the former. Tommy Lee Jones has never been as good as this, and after his recent stint with the Coens, this is an artist who just seems to get better and better. In fact, you are not likely to see a better performance from a lead actor for many a year. A well constructed murder mystery with all the right elements make for fantastic viewing for any fan of great drama. If you prefer cars blowing up or masked crusaders saving the planet, then don't bother, but if you like your films to take you on an emotional journey then this is definatley for you.

thought provoking story but not the action I was expecting

this was ok but was slighty boring more action needed!

I had high hopes for this film but i hate to say that it fell abit flat towards the end. The ending was abit of a cop out in my view and could have been so much more powerfull.

A very satisfying film. Intelligently scripted and well acted. Low key in a good way, but still rivetting, and an ending which worked perfectly.

good strong characters, film ok, thought provoking in many ways

I found this a really good film to watch, one you can relate to real life with the soldiers in Iraq, but at the same time see what their families go through. I would highly recommend you add this to your rental list :-)

Great performances all round in this somewhat harrowing tale made even more disturbing as it was based on an actual event. Tommy LJ was excellent as the father of the missing soldier in this absorbing film. Well worth hiring.

I watched it but its not one I could say really kept my interst, only watched it because there was nothing else on TV, otherwise I'd of stopped watching it.

A thoughtful and well constructed thriller with the usual quality performances from Tommy Lee Jones and Susan Sarandon

This is a powerfully emotive movie, which brings to life the banality of war and its far-reaching effects. Tommy Lee Jones, Susan Sarandon and Charlize Theron know a good script when they read one! Very powerful.

This is better than the majority of post-invasion themed films, more effective than Lions for Lambs, although Elah is not without its own failings. some may find this too slow and ponderous, as if any war-themed film has to be an all-guns blazing affair with a massive body count. Not so. Elah works because of jones even though Theron and sarandon do sterling work with what are secondary roles. Given the nature of Jones' search for his son, it is for the best that the search is interspersed with fragments of damaged/corrupted mobile phone footage of trops in action, and one can read into the subtext what one wants as we finally get a true understanding of the nature of the Deerfield family and father/son relationship. I guess there's a lot to be read into the generational differences of different wars that father/son fought. It's a film which is less heavy-handed with its theme. The sparseness of emotion between husband/wife, father/son and remoteness of american hinterland, Iraq battleground merge into a compelling study of a country in distress, but not fully cognisant of its beliefs and purpose. I guess these aren't being faced up to, especially in USA, which may explain elah's underwhelming reception upon cinema release. Ignore that. Ignore some of the mean spirited reviews elsewhere. This isn't heavily jingoistic nor hysterically anti-war and all the better for that and the lack of overblown shootouts. Watch it then ponder the nature of David and goliath, and who slew who/what in the parable of the Iraq war

Tommy Lee Jones was awesome in this film, it was brilliant, very different to what i had expected but great, watch it!

An all star cast in this army thriller including, Tommy Lee Jones (Men in Black), Charlize Theron (Monster), Jason Patric (Lost Boys), Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking) and Josh Brolin (The Goonies). A good start to this movie as Jones' son dissapears from his army barracks, apparently AWOL. The movie follows Jones search for his missing son with help from a detective played by Theron. The shame of this movie is that it grinds to a halt with ridiculous side dialogues that should of ended up on the cutting room floor, an all star cast that are sparsely used with the exception of Jones and Theron, and a ridiculous ending that does nothing to tie up the loose ends. Avoid

Good film. Worth watching and great acting by Jones,

Id say its more of a drama than an 'intense thriller' but it is a decent film about the effects of war on soldiers and their families . Tommy lee jones was just great and apart from the rather muddled ending and giving such a great actress as susan sarandon so little to do , the film was sucessful.

Found this confusing as there was no information to tell you to use dubbing. Film ok otherwise.

Great acting from cast, interesting and gritty realistic story with an honest twist (for Hollywood) at the end.

quite a current topic with all discussions about our troops in Afghanistan

A 1st class cast does not disappoint in this sad and moving film. Yes, it is a slow-moving film, but that is no big thing here, as gradually parts of the story and the life of Jones' son are revealed - not many of them positive. TLJ is on fine form, and the supporting performances from CT and SS are top notch as well. This not for the impatient, but if you like your films to make you THINK, then this is a good one.

An excellent film with a twist at the end a must watch film.

An excellent thought provoking film ,where a father who even after many years retirement from the services still goes about his daily life as if he was still serving. He loses one son on active duty.But when his second son goes AWOL he knows that he would not bring dishonour to the family name ,and sets out to bring him back,Sadly and slowly he comes to realise that all wars create senseless and cruel monsters even his son.........

This film begins as a missing person thriller and ends as a damning indictment of the conduct of the Iraq war. Very effective story telling, made all the more powerful by the fact that it's based on true events.

realy funny good kids /family film

Tommy Lee Jones did well in this fairly slow film. I was entertained but felt it could have been stronger.

Another Tommy Lee Jones film, liked it. good story line, keeps you involved through out, there is plenty of action, emotional. Worth watching . Good.

I can see how some may think this film is slow, which it is in places, but the fact that it unravels at such a pace makes it even more absorbing. We can watch how Tommy Lee Jones gradually learns the truth about his son's disappearance. Charlize Theron plays, at first, the part of the disinterested police officer until the case becomes more complicated and her attitude changes towards this man looking for his son. Although Susan Sarandon is not on screen for long her performance as the Mother is strong and natural. I enjoyed the film and it had a certain 'feel' to it that's quite difficult to describe - so go see it.

Brilliant film, very thought provoking and engaging. Definately worth watching especially for Jones and Theron's performances. You'll be asking yourself questions long after you have watched this film...

In The Valley Of Elah is a movie Paul Haggis obviously feels strongly about. But as important and significant as it seems to want to be, and as marvellous as the central performances are, the pervading sense that the writer / director has a point to make is ultimately what dulls and deadens this film for this viewer. The narrative complexities and twists that made Crash such a compelling watch are absent, the bookend moment of significance is just too blatant This movie insists upon itself Lois...

Ok so I watched this film last night and to be honest I didn't think I would like it. After 10 mins I was hooked, Tommy lee is brilliantly dark and moody as he usually is (except for that Men in Black moment) and Charlize is really impressive. The story was very gripping and held me in there right till the end. But that was were the problem lies.....I was left confused?! I wont say to much but I would love it if someone could tell me what actually happened. Call me blonde but there was a conspiracy at every corner that when it gave me the answers I left feeling that that was untrue? Shame coz I really liked it before the end!!

Simply put, In the Valley of Elah is a very average film. The deliberate pace several reviewers complain about isn't much of a problem if you know that it's not a high-energy film going in, but the story simply doesn't offer enough suspense to support its deliberate pace. The acting is fine, with Tommy Lee Jones providing quite a good performance. The script vacillates between patriotic schmaltz and an anti-war piece. It's clear throughout, though, that the director has an opinion about the Iraq war that he wants to share - as bad as Vietnam was, Iraq is doing worse things to our troops and the local population. Putting politics aside, the film has some clear weaknesses that make it seem just a tad longer than its 2-hour runtime. If you're looking for an action film, look elsewhere. If you don't mind a delberately paced mystery, you'll get an 'OK' movie in Elah.

The usual excellent performance of Tommy Lee Jones and a strong one from Charlize Theron, a story with aspects of CSI and various twists and turns but itr does not add up to the sum of the parts and the deliberate downbeat ending does not really deliver. Interesting for another view about the horrors and aftereffects of sending people to war where they can become dehumanised but most people would think that anyway.

I wondered why I had not heard much about this film before I added it to my LoveFilm list. Was it going to be a poor film with big name actors just there to drag in the punters? In fact it was a superb film; very thought provoking with excellent performances from Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron and, in cameo, Susan Saronden. So why did I feel it was so unsung? Was the anti-war, anti-military undercurrent, which made the film so interesting, counterproductive in terms of the films success in the USA.

I found this film a bit slow but very enjoyable. Susan Sarandon didn't have a big enough part (in my opinion) but the film was well acted.

The heavy hand of hollywood production values ruins what is, otherwise, an even handed attempt to portray the truly dehumanising forces at work on young Americans serving in combat zones. Good performances all round with a not to preachy message for any that care to see it. But, and it's a big but, the return to flag waving jingoism on display in the last five minutes must surely have galled the director just as much as it galls the viewer.

this film is worth watching is a bit slow

It would be easy to expect an action thriller with this film; Tommy Lee Jones searching for his AWOL son after returning from Iraq, plenty of mystery in the build up. But please do not be fooled. This is not that film. This is a condemnation of the US war in Iraq and the affect it has on the young men sent to fight. Quite moving the film is somwhat ponderous and all involved are clearly expressing their private political and moral position around the Bush War on terror. For all that its well acted and thought provoking. But you will have to get around the liberal patriotism, the religious overtones and all things that the Americans are obsssed with.

A fair attempt to subvert current US military policy but a very ponderous storyline does rather get in the way. The closing scene was the most effective, I thought - but you have to wade through a lot of tedium to get there. Maybe earns itself a watch - but only just...

TLJ in top form, reminiscent of No Country........ at least in terms of his 'dark' character. Movie overly long and very predictable ending. Worth a watch but make sure you're off the red wine.

Good movie although was quite slow. A 'dad' tries to find out what happened to his son whom is meant to have come home from the army but has not appeared. He comes across a lot of obstacles in trying to find out what happened. Good story line.

II liked this film, but there was no chemistry between the father and mother, I mean none and whilst I appreciate it wasn't a story about them, it would have made it easier to watch.

However, the content was stunning and the film needs to be watched to the very end, which I respectfully did as Sarandon and Tommy Lee are veteran actors, I just wish it could have come 'alive' more. However you could argue their relationship was semi-typical of the nature of the circumstances. I am not sure.

Great analysis of the horror that any war, modern or not can do to the human mind, Tommy Lee Jones plays his role understated and very clever and another reason why Charlize Theron is not a one trick pony for Monster,another great film from the director of Crash. Highly recommended

A good story, well scripted, but Tommy Lee Jones is playing it on auto-pilot and Susan Sarandon might as well not have been on the cast list.

good film that keeps you guessing and thinking. strong performances from all. slow, yes, but it couldn't work any other way. book it now.

Excellent movie well worth renting

Sad film but great performances by Tommy Lee Jones in particular. It was a good watch.

Thought this would be a typical Tommy Lee Jones WhamBam movie. There's a certain sameness to the roles he plays. I was very pleasantly surprised by this. He was Understated, restrained, and very believable. I was completely engrossed with the pathos, doggedness and determination he showed in getting the answers he needed. I hope TLJ

Many people who like their films to be easily interpreted and fast moving would be frustrated with this subtle, quietly building film. Its pace is slow but the revelations uncomfortable and intrigue you to watch further. This film portrays our ability as humans to internalise and rationalise our horrific nature, to dress it up and call it heroism. It also is about the tender love of a father for his son and how we sometimes do not truly know our children or their capabilities. Despite its subtle story and character building this film is confrontational, upsetting and leaves you asking yourself difficult questions. Bravo to Hollywood for finally realising that a truly brilliant film does not have to be gratifying or entirely conclusive.

You can see why Jones thought no one would watch the film with its title. However, to not see it would be a mistake. This is a thoughtful film that slow burns through Jones' lack of speaking and brooding character. Shot sparsely with a tight script that flicks about the time line, you are never quite sure who did it and why. My only gripe is that the reason once you find out is not really worth it. Or rather they don't give the reason enough validity for you to say you could understand it. Whether an anti war film or not, I don't think the ending does it enough justice for it to have any impact - sadly.

this is a remake of something id seen before could not put my finger on it it was ok but like i say seen something so similiar it was boring same old same old

Lets be honest we'd all watch Tommy Lee Jones if he appeared in a commercial for Tampons! A so-so story but a good line of acting and with a couple of good twists but Jones rarely makes a bad movie, even when it is bad! Worth watchiog for the master alone , Charlize Theron is top drawer as vere so you won't waste your money.

The anti-war messages in this film are very clear but the even starker message communicated about man's horrifying inhumanity to fellow man would have been more effective if the viewer had been able to identify more with Tommy Lee Jones' missing son's character. The excellent Susan Sarandon is hardly visible in this overly long thriller.

This is an interesting film and Tommy Lee Jones is fantastic in it, but it is not a great film. Susan Sarandon in her brief appearances also gives a compelling perfomance. Carlize Theron however is surprisingly wooden.

Some of the reviews of In the Valley of Elah have complained about the film's excessive length and lack of narrative drive. These may be justifiable criticisms but to me, the meandering pace added to the credibility of a film which captured the banality of the scene incredibly well. The sense of inertia is palpable. If you want sustained action or hard hitting polemic, this is not the film for you. For me though, the central performances and the evocation of time and place make this a worthwhile and enjoyable film.

I didn't enjoy this film.

Great movie but more like a documentary - etches on your memory

This was a bit of a bore! Tommy Lee Jones didn't have any charisma and Susan Sarandon was only in it for about 3 minutes. Not a good film, despite the good cast.

What a waste of time this film was! Based on a true story (supposedly), Tommy Lee Jones sets out to discover what has happened to his son after returning from the Iraq war. Why what happens happens is never really explained and by that stage I didn't care anyway. I watched it to the end just in case something spectactular happens, but believe me it doesn't. Don't waste your time.

Dont know what all the hype was about i was bored stiff. I like Tommy lee jones but this film did not do it for me.

I thought this would be great but I was very dissappointed. It bored me to sleep. My boyfriend, who stayed awake, stopped watching shortly after too. Abysmally slow and boring. I think you have to be in a certian mood to appreciate it, but I sent it back and will never know!

Worth a rent, we were hooked but it has a bit of a disappointing end!....

actors did their best with a slow film could have been more gripping and made more exciting story was ok and ending was interesting charlize boosted the film to 3 star

Enjoyed the film. It got across ths shock of warfare and how it can deeply disturb people when caught in the conflict and upon their return. I thought the film was credible in terms of the enagements with people and the emotions of thos caught up in the horror of war. The film did its job and entertained me well for two hours reminding what i already know that warfare is an aweful aweful business

Good plot, dark mysterious twists. Pretty gory and extreme at times, though couldn't quite get my head round why Tommy Lee Jones character was so unperturbed about the brutal murder and dismembering of his son! Worth seeing, deffo.

acting was very good and storyline.

I really enjoyed this film. Its a who done it, which grips you from the word go. its extremely well constructed with a great story. At points its a heartbreaker. I would watch it again.

I read some of the other reviews on here and despite some compelling reasons not to watch it I stubbornly decided to make up my own mind. Big mistake. It's exactly as others have described. The script is so poor it's almost laughable, there is a scene in a laundrette when Tommy Lee takes a shirt out of the drier and carefully puts it on, and Charlize stares at him for ages then says 'it looks like it's still wet' and Tommy says 'It's fine'. This takes about five painful minutes and I can't fathom why it was even filmed. I enjoy political drama's, usually love Theron in every other role, and kept this on purely because I hoped an incredible plot twist would save it at the last minute. But no. I urge you not to waste your time and money!! Try Rendition if you want to see a more interesting and thought provoking side of the war on Iraq.

Slow, boring and pointless. If you have trouble sleeping put this on and you will be out in no time. I should have washed my car instead as recomended in a previous reiew.

Interesting film, with a dark undercurrent. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, but probably expect too much these days, from a film.

This was a good suspense thriller which kept you guessing who the murderer was right to near the end.

good film which keeps you gripped but doesn't thrill or give the ending you want.

This is an excellent window on the effect of current wars on American youth who have lost the moral plot in Iraq. Good parenting, represented by Tommy Lee Jones, has made little difference to their basically-hedonistic a-morality and they are lost souls who have vulnerable prisoners put in their hands and can't handle it. Under the influence of dumb rules of war that make their job worse, not better, they lose whatever vestige of honour they might have had and the painful part of this movie is seeing this honourable father discovering what a confused jerk his son had become. It is not a flag-waver then. In my view, however, this film rewards the viewer who patiently sticks with it. When the last scene of the film hits you, all you can say is, 'Yes, that seems to be just like it is.' It is a brave film and though it will not make the top rank, I was thinking of buying it on DVD but, having a son myself, I would find the whole thing too painful to repeat. Enjoy it? I can't say that altogether, but it is a film you must see so you know what a mess the Iraq War is and what a sad lot American hedonists are when given a man's responsibility. Watch with caution.

not bad at all, but was a little bit slow in places, but did enjoy the film

excellent performance by Tommy Lee Jones in a soberingly uncomfortable drama that reveals the true horror of war!!!

Idid not get to watching because disc refused to play and ididnt boyher to reorder

nice crime themed thrilla wold watch again

super all round performance from cast once you get past trying to figure out th t.v show the son starred in it gets better& Better worth STAYING with its a little slow to start with

A pretty unremarkable film, jones looks tired and makes you feel tired watching him, that said its a good story and good acting but a bit samey really

Gritty stuff from TLJ, an insightful view into damage and pain suffered by everyone involved in a conflict based on manipulated intelligence. It's tiny, spur of the moment decisions.........desparate consequences. C

This is a film which could have been so much more. I found it boring and the pace of the film was altogether far too slow. There were some good moments, but ultimatlely I just felt that I had wasted two hours!

To amazing lead actors, and a brilliant plot make this film essential viewing. One to watch every few months, so you forget part of the plot, and is seems like a fresh new film.

I liked this film. In the end i'm not sure what point it was trying to make about the Iraq war other than that warfare makes men (and increasingly women) do horrible things. There is nothing new or revelatory in that, but I enjoyed the way the story unfolded and the main performances were always good.

a good film made more enjoyable by tommy lee jones who was well cast and the story had a twist at then end.

A good film but very slow not one of Tommy Lee Jones best

Terrific story. Great acting. Again all involved deliver a clever film. Get it and be suprised.

This film is not what I expected. Obviously the acting is excellent, you can't really go wrong with Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron and Susan Sarandon. It's incredibly moving and well worth renting. The subject matter is tragic and you really believe what the main characters are going through. Tommy Lee Jones is wonderful as a proud man, who finds it almost impossible to show emotion. There's a lovely scene between him and the little boy playing Theron's son.

Dont hire it it you are looking for action or a barrel of laughs.

Not a bad film as I like Tommy, but it is quite slow in places.

As usual Tommy Lee Jones gives a 1st class performance, A good, well constructed and well acted, if not great movie. Worth watching.

Actually, this is more of an extended 'CSI Investigations' episode than a film 'proper' but it is a good story; told well. It is a little slow to start and some of the charactors are a little cliche but it builds relentlessly onward. Watch it as a 'made for TV' film, and you'll enjoy it knowing what to expect.

Good film once again Tommy Lee Jones is great

I hoped for more action from Tommy but as he grows older, he gets more character roles than action roles. My guess is that this is a better book than film, quite disappointing in that it never develops any feelgood stuff, it is all so depressing. Come on Tommy, you can do better.

Not great entertainment really. Some good acting from TLJ abd Charlize but not a particularly interesting story unfortunately.

The title of the film is a little obscure (an analogy to the David versus Goliath story) but otherwise this movie has a stark and clear message to tell. It centres on ex army officer Tommy Lee Jones (acting superbly as always) instinctively investigating, with the help of cop Charlize Theron, the mutilation/murder of his army son after the son's return from a tour of Iraq. Without giving the game away, the film cleverly peels away the layers of deceit that the son's fellow soldiers are hiding under, to reveal symptoms of combat stress / PTSD that hide an awful truth to the murder. What struck home most to me was the upturned USA flag at the end, an indictment of a superpower that has lost its way.

I always enjoy watching Tommy Lee Jones and he is equally good in this as any of his other films . A good watch and very entertaining

Quite simply i have not seen a better film than this in the last two years.I was just gripped from start to finish and having served in Iraq i can testify to the dehumanisation of soldiers and the after effects of returning home. Simply Incredible.

A good film but for me it was too slow to tell the story.

i thought this film would bring something new to the table, i expected the son to turn up alive in some weird twist, but upon watching this 2 hour piece, ive concluded that its no different from an extended version of c.s.i. thats it. a film that just should have been a 2 part tv drama.

Slow film which I don't necessarily dislike but found I didn't care enough about the characters to stay engaged making it feel slower still.

I'm glad I didn't read the negative reviews of this film before I rented this film. I was eager to see it because I was curious to see why it hadn't done well when it was released. Now I see why, because it basically trashes Americas wars in iraq and afghanistan, so every partriotic American would hate it. Personally I think it was a well made and really moving film. It portrayed the effect that trauma can have on a person mentally rather than physically. My one and only fault I had with the film is that Tommy Lee's character wasn't as angry as I would have liked, there was only one part where he was, and it left me frustrated at him, much the same as No Country For Old Men did.

A high-quality cast including Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron unfortunately cannot save this film from its own predictability. He's a died-in-the-wool military veteran, she's a single-mother-struggling-against-the-odds-to-prove -she's-better-than-all-the-boy-cops. A completely wasted Susan Sarandon is sidelined to a bit part at the end of a phone, struggling to deal with a taciturn husband who has stopped communicating altogether. Okay, but nothing great for the talent to get its teeth into.

Good storyline, although the film was really slow. It never seemed to pick up pace, and I found myself losing concentration some of the time.

its ok, but I was supprise about the ratting this movie has, cos i wasnt enjoying the movie totaly. this film wasnt engaging....

Excellent cast including Tommy Lee Jones. A gritty tail with a lot of attention to detail on the minds of young war veterans.

Not that good for Tommy Lee - showing signs of his age I'm afraid and content/story line weak.

An average movie, only brought to life by an excellent performance by Tommy Lee Jones.

Not a good one, not worth to watch

Good long enough with a bit of mystery

A sad tale of the death of a soldier who had served his country in Iraq.A complex tale of a father searching for the truth,expertly played by Tommy lee Jones.The dvd gets thru the sadness of loss for a military family.The dvd is always watchable,it creates a melancholy atmosphere,thru out.People who enjoy serious drama will enjoy this.

very good entertaining film, recommendable.

Realistic story and good thriller with good acting all round particularly Tommy Lee Jones who can do no wrong in his recent movies.

A powerful, evocative film which has more to it than meets the eye, i.e War in general but specifically the recent one in Iraq being a macarbe underlying current. Will leave you asking questions, top performance from Tommy Lee Jones.

I really enjoyed this- I fall on the same political side so it is no surprise that I thought it told truths about how our young people are being used to meet political ends.

I put this movie on whilst doing my ironing, and my ironing was more entertaining than the film! I couldn;t even finish the movie. The trailor had looked so promising, I was very disappointed. Maybe if my ironing had been less appealing...

It is about a father finding out what has happened to his soldier son once the boy has returned from Iraq. It is then about him pushing the military and non military police to find out the truth . Of course it is also asking us as viewers to question the sense in sending young men to Iraq for their humanity to be destroyed. My overwhelming memory of this film is a deep sense of sadness, illustrated mainly by Tommy Lee Jones' marvellous performance. The despair and grief and sense of loss for this man is so painful to watch. Also we see how everything he thought he knew ie who his son was and what the army and his country is about is systematically shot down. Susan Sarandon also stands out (though her screen time is very short) as the grief stricken mother whose life is over, you sense, after the events in the film. Charlize Theron is also completely convincing as a driven career police officer with the intelligence and empathy to dig deeper. The actual detective work in the film comes across as confusing and a bit frustrating and the whodunnit conclusion is over simplistic and pat. However a very good film, watch for a truly amazing turn by T L Jones.

Big names but poor movie.

A brilliant, stunning expose of human frailty and the futility of war that all people especially our leaders should see. I think many reviewers have missed the point of this film. Beautifully portrayed by all the actors involved it is the unfolding story of the grief of a family who have lost the child in the army. Touching and moving it also tells a far deeper story. If you expect a shoot 'em up, cop/ army type film you may be a little disappointed, (rent out Rambo!',however it is totally engrossing as the whole tawdry murder unfolds. More importantly it questions our belief system and exposes the whole stupidity of war, the tainting effect it has on the young warriors of today, involved in a mindless bloodlet of hate. Obviously this spreads like a stain throughout our 'civilised' society and belittles us all. Make your own mind up as to what we really need to change, to salvage some dignity from the morass that some politicians, seemingly blindly, want drive us ever onward into.

This movie started with so much promise. The last 3/4 scenes seem rushed and ill thought out and very little detail! Tommy Lee Jones is such a great actor though and I enjoyed his role

I did not enjoy this film very much, thought it was very difficult to follow and even at the end was not sure what was going on. Very unusual for a film starring Susan Sarangdon and Tommy Lee Jones; their movies are normally enjoyable

A well- acted movie, though cliched at times.Thought -provoking and quite realistic.Not an action -packed movie, but interesting and worth watching.

This film tops all of his past films. I watched it twice in a row.Totaly totaly 'fantastic'!!!!

Disappointing. Probably not what I was expecting.

The 2008 Oscar nominations demonstrated extraordinary, perhaps even unexpected, strengths from the American fillm industry. In relatively quick succession I have now watched There Will Be Blood, No Country for Old Men, Michael Clayton and In the Valley of Elah. I'm still not sure why No Country for Old Men walked away with four Oscars, while There Will Be Blood only got two and In the Valley of Elah nothing. Despite a surprisingly focussed performance from George Clooney, Miohael Clayton was overrated and deserved nothing more than it got - nothing. I have raved about Daniel Day-Lewis's scenery-chewing, operatic performance in 'Blood', which, together with the stunning cinematography and hypnotic score, clinched it for me as best film, despite the complexities of 'No Country'. What I had not expectedfrom In the Valley of Elah was an astounding performance from Tommy Lee Jones that in its understated and subtle complexity matched and, dare I say, capped Day-Lewis's. After his under-whelming turn in 'No Country', and despite the obvious constraint and world-weariness, this was a revelation. This must be the greatest performance he has given, and it is terribly moving. Lugging his baggy old face around as ex-military man Hank Deerfield in a dogged search for his missing son, Jones drags not only Hank's own burdens of guilt behind him, but also those of a whole nation that has chosen to send its young men to be corrupted in Iraq. Accompanying Hank on his long journey into the night that he gradually understands is ahead of him is a mesmerizing experience, Although ostensibly linear, the halting narrative veers off into dead-ends and back again while Hank, with the increasingly sympathetic support of detective Emily Sanders, pieces together the counterpointed fragments of e-mailed photos which gradually reveal the dark abyss beneath the film. This is also the best thing I have seen Charlize Theron do, hunted, brow-beaten, bullied but ultimately strong to the core. Paul Haggis's script and direction are exemplary. Blu-ray brings the extra dimension of pin-sharp colour and the detailed surface of a cold blue winter sky. Those of you who remember the characteristic greens and blues of old Agfa colour transparencies will be amazed. There is also an excellent, string-based score which blends elegaic Gorecki with energised Glass. Yes, some people might find this two and a quarter hours of unremitting boredom, but I cannot recommend it strongly enough if you have a taste for the slow-burn, not only of the plot, but also of the awesome issues that lie beneath it. This film will tell you more about the American experience of Iraq than a million news items. I found it shocking and heartbreaking. Why, oh why were there no Oscars?

I quite enjoyed this film. A bit slow to start but was good once it got going.

this is a really good film and it is an eye opener to what go`s on in the real would

Bored bored bored!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The plot is extremely predictable, no twists or shocks at the end. Have always enjoyed Tommy Lee Jones movies before, but this is the one exception. There are much better movies out there to spend two hours of your life watching.

I am a fan of Tommy Lee Jones and this is the films saving grace really. If you are a fan of action movies then I would give this film a miss because it is very slow paced and takes a long time to get too the point of the film and that is about 'Post traumatic stress' and its effect on soldiers, what their experiences in the theatre of war have shaped them into and how out of context their reactions are to conflict in their homeland. A moving but slow film with good performances by Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron.

We spotted a trailer for this movie one night and it looked like a must see movie, on reflection this is far from a must see but is not entirely bad. The story follows an ex military father (Jones) who refuses to accept his sons disappearance following a tour in Iraq. The story in itself has the potential to be very gritty, yet despite some strong dramatic moments it never really hits the spot, a real shame because something in this movie does keep you watching as he does what the police fail to do, assisted by the understated but impressive Theron. The pace is very slow and for a period you are almost guaranteed to be a little bored, however, if like us the mystery is too intriguing to leave, you will keep watching and hopefully take something from this film. We felt the pace was the weakest point, the idea and acting was fine, so just one more notch up and we could have had a really decent dramatic thriller. Police v Army, CSI meets The General’s Daughter. Certainly not a must see but fans of the slow moving investigative style should enjoy. Just above average. 6/10. 3 stars.

An age-old missing-in-action type plot with the bonus of T L Jones' performance. An excellent performance by Jones coupled with the moral argument of young soldiers being trained to kill then people wondering why when they do. It shows the miltary in a bad light but what do people expect when they or their loved ones join up??

tommey lee jones saved the film from being one star

Not what I thought it was going to be from the cover but a very good film

Great film,well acted,with a strong story line that will keep you wanting to no,what happens next?..Well worth a look....Plenty of twists in the plot to keep your mind raceing & you hooked to the film....

Excellent all round, script, actors, acting...Tommy Lee Jones and Susan S fantastic and very realistic. Great original stroy and would like to see more movies made like this. Thought provoking and most enjoyable. If you are a Tommy Lee fan you must see this now.

A little preachy but hard hitting and worth a watch, not particularly supsenseful but holds the attention. Good performance from Tommy Lee Jones.

Really enjoyed this film

I found this film very slow and I just didnt get into it, the charaters didnt really show that much emotion and it didnt keep my interest at all. The ending was very disappoiting and not very well explained I had really high hopes as think the plot could have been written sooo much better Shame really, I wouldnt recommend it.

the storyline starts off promisingly but then becomes really slow-moving. tommy lee jones is in fine acting form though and he makes the movie

This was a gripping and an emotional film with a strong cast. The ending wasn't strong and a little confusing but overall a good film

Tommy Lee Jones puts in a stella performance as ex cop/military man (It runs through him like blood) - And you realise as the films goes forward how disappointed he is and bitterly let down he feels by the situation he finds himself in - well worth seeing and - I thought - fairly unexpected end twist - Susan Sarandon is great supporting as the mother figure - as ever See it

Powerful film, very thought provoking. Left us feeling a bit depressed but still overall enjoyed the experience!

As usual Tommy Lee Jones is brilliant in this film. Well worth watching.

....Jones is without doubt, one of the finest actors Hollywood has ever produced. The character he portrays in this movie is both credible and believable. Charlize Theron, on the other hand, seems to be on her way there but just hasn't arrived yet. She has played some fine roles, this one is probably up there with the best of them. The film itself was an interesting delve into the mind of your 'typical' American soldier. It was a good show, but this is a subject thats been played out more times than enough. It was a bit too long in places and overall I can see why it didn't recieve any Oscar Nominations. However, it kept me thinking throughout and I honestly didn't what way the whole story was going to pan out. Final thoughts - Average, but interesting.

A film about an overly religious father (Tommy Lee Jones) investigating the disappearance and subsequent murder of his son, after the son returns from Iraq. He discovers things which could undermine his faith although you're never quite sure with the tight-lipped Tommy. Susan Sarandon is superfluous to the story and is an actor name for namesake. I can so understand why this film was a box office flop. It's dull.

This is a strong tale of war and it's effects on the people who go through it. Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron are good as the father and down trodden police woman who have to piece together the disturbing truths behind events. Paul Haggis, creater of Due South and acclaimed screenwriter tells another good story. A powerful and good watch.

Tommy Lee-Jones is on superb form as always but I couldn't help but feel Theron let him down somewhat. Very well produced.

Good film but not for me really. Poor plot poor ending.

excellent film, good acting and good plot. Very thought-provoking

Don't watch this if you are at all tired. It is a decent movie with a good story line but quite yawnful!

An involving and moving film which moves at a deliberate pace, yet no less dramatic for it. Films with a military backdrop are often clumsy and crude, but this if found more subtle, and i enjoyed it thoroughly.

Tommy Lee Jones never disappoints-very thought provoking

excellent film, well played by Tommy Lee Jones. ke eps you quessing. Recommended

Investigating the disappearence of his soldier son who has just returned from action in Iraq,T.L.Jones investigates, and is blocked in every direction by USA Service personnel. A rather slow film, and somewhat boring.

It was slow to begin with and slightly confusion because the film kept flicking back and forth. Nevertheless, as the film unfolded, I began to understand the story - this film requires no destractions or you will loose the plot and the storyline - A very good film!!

This movie is not for everyone, not for every occasion. Do not rent it if you are looking for an action movie or an easy ride to relax your mind. I believe that in order to appreciate this movie, you must have a personal drive towards understanding how war is evolving the military ethos, how it is affecting both the new and the old generation of soldiers and American citizens. The arguments touched by this movie are though, difficult. Losing your kids, facing a world in which you do not recognise yourself anymore, seeing what you have lived for disappearing and loosing importance. This movie pushes you to look into yourself and your dearest beliefs. It also give you a tiny glipse of hope and confidence in standing by your own values. Overall I loved it.

I enjoy watching In the Valley of Elah, because what has happened is that a soldier's mum and dad were at home and that he was in Iraq for his duty and suddenly was murdered at a barrack in the US. There were horrible things in Iraq and his murder back home was horrible too. His dad looked for who was responsible for the murder of his son. Tommy Lee Jones and Susan Saradan were great actors as well as Charlize Theron.

Didnt initially attract my attention but now pleased I was persuaded to watch this quite thoughtful movie.

shame had some good actors in this film but found it to long and it draged. started to get bored after the first hour. the story line just didnt pull you in enough even though based on true events. was expecting better than this. trailer looks better than the film was one would not rush to rent

about the old testament as the title could suggest, but no doubt the David and Goliath theme is a metafor for this impressing film about the Iraq war and the consequences it has on the body and especially the soul of the homecoming heroes. We see the devasting result it has on some soldiers and it is undoubtedly still true for soldiers from this and others countries coming back from Afghanistan - for that reason alone it's worth taking time to watch although some may prefer to look away from these tragic consequences. Outstanding acting from Tommy Lee Jones and Susan Sarandon as the parents of the missing soldier.

Had everything that I would want from a film... Interesting plot, believable actors and a few twists and turns along the way, which made the 2 hour film fly by! Would highly recommend it!!!!!

Ok movie, not bad to watch it, but I have seen better ones. Definitely watch it if you wanna become a soldier!!

Great movie - good script and well thought provoking. Great performance from a plain looking Theron showing she can really act!

This is a very moving and traumatic film, where Tommy Lee Jones and Susan Sarandon play the parents of a Soldier who has returned from Iraq and goes AWOL. It is a film well worth watching as you get very involved in their heartbreaking search for the truth.

Long film need to have a little patience it was run of the mill nothing special

An upbeat film with smart slick vocab (from Ben affleck especially), I really enjoyed it and wasn't dissappointed... Very good.

Not the best of Tommy Lee Jones, the film was really slow.

I am writing this review many months after watching this film, but it was a good one. Typical quiet moody Tommy Lee Jones in a pensive mood for most of the film. I did enjoy it..

This film kept your mind working overtime trying to guess the plot/final.. really worth a watch!

Good to see Tommy Lee Jones in good films again, this and No Country for Old Men. (shame about all the long titles!) In Valley of Elah Jones is a career officer looking for his son who disappeared after returning from service in Iraq; what follows is a detective/thriller/chase movie with heart. It is moving; a look at those families who have lost children to the war, but as well what wars do to those who serve in them.

A watchable film but the build up was better than the 'punch line' which left me a little disappointed. Tommy Lee Jones was good as always and some good moments from Charlize Theron.

When I looked at the first review for this film I almost took it off my Rental List, I am glad I did not. The guy had said that the film was a waste of 2 hours of his life! Surely any film with Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron & Susan Sarandon was worth a look. The film was a poignant observation on the pain of loss of parents who have lost a son. The couple first of all went through the pain of not knowing where their son was which can be worse than when they finally found out that he was indeed dead. Tommy portrays a father who is at first obsessed trying to find his son and then when he finds out he has been murdered he becomes obsessed in finding the killer. He becomes a pain in the ass of the local police office and the Army Base who would gladly let the murder be swept under the carpet. He eventually wins round the Local Police officer played by Charlize Theron and unravels the cover up by the guilty parties and justice is seen to be done. There were so many sub plots to keep you interested like the relationship between Tommy Jones character & his wife played by Susan Sarandon and Charlize Theron's battle to be recognised as a good detective rather than someone who has slept her way to promotion that kept my interest in the film right to the end. Although this movie may not have been a blockbuster it was certainly worth a couple of hours of my time. Maybe the guy that slated this film as boring would like to check out Tommy Lee Jones with Steven Segal in 'Under Siege', maybe that kind of movie is more up his street as you do not need a brain to sit through that one.

Some reviews of this film have described it as 'tripe', 'slow', and 'dull'. To a certain extent I agree; if you are expecting an all-action investigative thriller (Die Hard style), look elsewhere. At the helm of the film is a study of, as the director puts, 'the first victim of war; our humanity'. The story revolves around PTSD resulting from war, the difficulty soldiers of all nations have reintegrating into 'normal' society, and the problems war-atrocities create. My one criticism of the film is that it does perhaps take on too many central themes, attempting to look at issues surrounding the afore-mentioned war ideas, parental problems, the 'right' to kill, de-humanisation etc etc... A lot of thinking is required. But, this said, it does most of this competently and transparently. If you are interested in any of the above, and especially if you liked Waltz With Bashir (covers a lot of the same themes - although Waltz is probably better), definitely worth a watch. Enjoy!

very slow i thought it would have been more action packed i would not recommend to anyboby

interesting film but a tad slow. seemed to drag a bit. appeared actors were just going through the motions. expected more from such a good cast.

Brilliantly yet simply shot, the film gently uncoils itself into the shiny apple of just war like a worm. And what we find at the centre is more terrifying than any shoot-em-up could possibly show. The film is both a whodunnit and an essay on war, and the horror it shows is almost worse off the battlefield than on it. Tommy Lee Jones is brilliant as the starched and grizzly ex-MP, and all the other actors are excellent. The film does not put a foot wrong, and the last scene is a cinematic triumph. Superb.

A truly great film, couldn't take my eyes from the screen, I wouldn't expect anything less from Tommy Lee Jones at his best!

The Americans have a remarkable ability to be the only people to suffer pain and sorrow in their life when they send their young men away to war. This was typical of their self indulgence and was probably sponsored by the CIA. A very depressing film and I suggest if they wish to avoid these feelings then maybe they should think twice about who they fight wars with!

Again a hubby choice as he is a massive Tommy Lee fan. Tommy's character is typical, wish Susan's role was a little bigger though. Good film that we both enjoyed but not fantastic.

to say this film is supposed to be based on a true story i thought it would have had a bit more humph but unfortuneatly it didn,t.this film could have been so good but it stayed flat,totally average.

A father tries to discover what happens to his son after he disappears after a tour in Iraq. Tommy Lee Jones gives an excellent performance. Well worth watching.

I did not like this film,it stopped about halfway though .So I only watch half a filmI also had about 10 minutes trying to start it

Again I like tommy lee jones and he never lets me down, really enjoyed watching this film, he is a superb actor,

I cannot see why other reviewers see this movie as boring and utter tripe. It is based on a true story and therefore is not going to be an all action 'shoot 'em up'. It is simply a father's effort to find the truth behind the disappearance of his son on his return from a tour of duty in Iraq. Charlize Theron as the investigating detective trying to overcome Army red tape plays her part well as does Tommy Lee Jones as the father. However, I think the well known talents of Susan Sarandon are wasted at the mother left at home. This part could have been played by my auntie. Still, a good movie well worth watching.

Nothing special or original about this movie. Better off waiting until it is on TV some night after you get back from the pub. That way, if you fall asleep you'll have missed nothing.

To start with a positive- this is well acted so it's never painful to watch. Good female police role - seems authentic. Actually, all the characters seemed authentic and the plot reasonably believable. It's just a bit slow. Susan Sarandon was not really needed at all. This movie seemed to fall between human drama and thriller - missing both. Certainly wasn't thrilling- not excited even for a minute. Neither was it all that moving. Ending was dull.

Yes, this film can seem to be a bit slow but that's because you have to listen to understand what's playing out. It is subtle, not action packed. I enjoyed it. Tommy Lee Jones was excellent. His dour and sad character was believable to the bitter end.

I cannot take away that this film is a good one. I can also not take away that the ending is not only well worth the extremley long wait, but is also very hard to swallow after you find out the truth. The Valley of Elah certianlly had me in suspense for nearly an hour. My partner was starting to get a little annoyed with the story taking a very long time to unfold. But I didnt want to give up on it. But i will admit that there is only so long that you can drag a story before not giving enough to the audience and when they finally delivered, it was hard to stomach. If this is indeed based on a true story, then this shows how bad the world is today and its inhabitents, namely human beings. It was also strange to see Tommy Lee Jones in a lower budget film than what i was used to. You could tell that the filming was slighly poorer than previous films. This did not effect the film what so ever, but you can sometimes tell with some films and seeing what i call actors of his quality in a film like this can easily point facts like this out. This film could be classed by many as a snoozer. If you really dont have much patience on you, just dont bother. Otherwise if you just fancy watching films like me, have enough discipline to see it through to give it a true rating.

A really good, well acted, slow burner of a movie, where you can draw your own conclusions from an unusual and highly thought-provoking look at the uncomfortable truths of modern day war. If you get fidgety or like to be spoon fed by a film, then this is probably not for you, but give it the time it deserves, and you'll be greatly rewarded. The lead roles are excellent.

Excellent fayre from Sarandon and company. Deals with grief in a very intelligent way

This is a poignant and disturbing film that stayed with me a long time. The final few scenes are a devastating conclusion to the intense, but understated, acting and film style. This is not an 'action' film and heroism is ambiguous. It is a deeply subversive comment on lives affected by war.