In the Valley of Elah

  • 2007


MOVIE IS powerful beautiful emotional dramatic
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69 %
73 % Fresh
$ 29 Million
See Where to Watch In the Valley of Elah
Positive Reviews 77
Negative reviews 17
Average Rating 3.5/5
powerful beautiful emotional dramatic

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  • Positive
  • Negative
3.0
Haggis still has a weakness for big dramatic gestures and heavy handed symbolism, but a somber tone and Jones tight lipped yet moving performance nice .. Av Club
4.5
Haggis still has a weakness for big dramatic gestures and heavy handed symbolism, but a somber tone and Jones tight lipped yet moving performance nice .. Av Club
2.0
Im one of those people who couldnt abide Crash, with its phony checkerboard structure and glib talky quality network drama racial dialectics, but Hagg .. EW
5.0
I dont think theres a scene in the movie that could be criticized as acting, with quotation marks. Rogerebert
1.3
A namby pamby tirade against the war in Iraq, In the Valley of Elah is a Canadians Sydney Pollack inspired drag revue.
1.5
Haggis is an extremely talented man, and much of the film works brilliantly. But it misses the mark.
3.0
Instead of a nice, clean movie about parental regret were forced to suffer through an unnecessary biblical metaphor stretched way past its limits of a ..
2.0
Its a difficult picture dealing directly with misery and misfortune, but it has much to say about affairs of the family and the state of the union, pr .. E Film Critic
2.0
With In The Valley Of Elah, his follow up to the absurdly overpraised Crash, writer director Paul Haggis solidifies his position as this generations S .. E Film Critic
5.0
His Deerfield is both an embodiment of military hewed patriotism he shines his shoes daily and of American political innocence (he doesnt know the wor .. San Francisco Chronicle
4.0
Tense, powerful and considerably less crass than Crash, Elah may be jammed with ideas that dont all connect, but Jones devastating performance makes t ..
3.0
Im not overstating here, thats really the message of Haggiss movie, and its one hes determined that no one miss. Cinema Blend
3.1
What Haggis obviously wants to explore is what the war in Iraq is doing to the humanity of our soldiers there. By approaching it indirectly, he simpli .. Ny Daily News
3.1
In his first solo outing since the Oscar winning Crash, writer director Paul Haggis falls into a familiar trap, where his lofty social theme fights it .. The Globe And Mail
3.8
Paul Haggis earnest and eloquent film about the impact of the war in Iraq on U.S. soldiers, and by extension, their nation, is human scaled. And as de .. Philly
5.0
After watching this riveting film, you will have more compassion than ever for the soldiers who have served and are serving in Iraq at great danger to .. Spirituality And Practice
3.0
Like Missing, a critique of U.S. government policy disguised as a mystery about a father searching for the truth about his son. And a rather heavy han .. One Guys Opinion
3.1
But the ungainly manner in which it is presented doesnt do the cause any good. ReelViews
3.8
Though the portentous title is taken from the Old Testament, the films concerns are painfully timely and forcefully articulated. Tv Guide
2.5
Picture A Few Good Men without the powerful third act (more on that later), and youre close. Combust Ible Celluloid
3.0
Haggis David and Goliath metaphor provides a nice artsy title for his film, but it doesnt really work.
3.1
Filmmaker Haggis does an effective job of cultivating an impressively engrossing atmosphere right from the outset... Reel Film Reviews
2.0
The police chief Buchwald (Josh Brolin of Grindhouse) doesnt want the case. Lariat
2.0
In the Valley of Elah doesnt take a position on the Iraq War itself. Eric Ds Nider
4.0
As with Crash, Haggis isnt offering simple answers; the key point is that hes getting to the root of the issue, raising questions most people dont eve .. Shadows On The Wall
2.0
In the Valley of Elah held me despite my many qualms. Thats because the subject matter is innately powerful and resists Haggiss pigeonholing. Hes latc .. Cs Monitor
4.4
Despite a seriously misconceived final scene, In the Valley of Elah is a far more mature and nuanced piece of filmmaking. New York Post
3.8
As a former military man and investigator, Deerfield doesnt need disinterested local police or an insular, self protective military to point the way. Deseret News (Salt Lake Ci ..
3.8
Jones is terrific, as is a barely recognizable Theron ... an awkwardly tacked on subplot implies our soldiers in Iraq are sadists and psychopaths. Internet Reviews
4.0
In the Valley of Elah rises and falls on the strength of Tommy Lee Jones performance, which is to say that it rises to great heights, indeed. Az Central
3.1
The woman shes playing in Elah, though, doesnt actually always know what shes doing. Boston
3.5
Still, its a film that ought to be viewed with its shortcomings in mind. Mountain X
3.1
The failure to avoid pat answers and cheap grandstanding dogs Haggis here as surely as it did in the overrated Crash, and robs In the Valley of Elah o .. Toronto Star
4.5
Sarandon never panders to cheap feelings and as a result, shes totally believable. Reel Talk Reviews
2.5
Its harder to tell if In the Valley of Elah is critical of the war in Iraq or what America itself has become. Q Network
4.4
Will hopefully be appreciated years from now when the Iraq war is looked upon by many as a war that revealed to its citizens what America has truly be .. Cinema Crazed
4.5
This is no doubt the first of many movies that will struggle to tell the stories of a war thats far from over, and even if the tale is imperfectly tol .. Slate
4.0
With the bandage strapped across Emilys nose, it makes no secret about trying to be Chinatown, but surprisingly this doesnt come off too badly. Eye For Film
4.5
Review by Andrew L. Urban: War f***s up young men; thats the message.
3.0
Whos Good: Well, Sarandon, of course, because shes almost always great no matter what shes doing. Movies
4.5
gives a great, selfless, and heartbreaking performance that completely dominates this elusive but powerful movie. New Yorker
4.5
This is a sad, subtle and very good movie, designed not so much to make you think, but to make you feel the impact of large events on little lives. Time
4.5
The combination of dedicated actors and a superior script helps make Elah a far more satisfying film than Crash. Time
2.5
Excellent turns cannot make this plodding package any more of a bludgeoning chore to sit through. Mr Brown Movies
3.8
A penetrating, lacerating, angry as hell condemnation against the incalculably devastating cost of war as it pertains to both those fighting in it and .. The Movie Boy
3.0
Picture A Few Good Men without the powerful third act (more on that later), and youre close. Bullz-Eye
4.0
Where Lions For Lambs stumbled, Haggis latest succeeds in putting dramatic form to the disquiet over US policy. Tommy Lee Jones performance, meanwhile .. Total Film
2.0
The films sense of responsibility proves almost paralyzing, allowing the production to be overwhelmed by the seriousness of what its attempting. Calendar Live
2.0
And it doesnt hurt to have Tommy Lee Jones driving the film with a beautifully realized performance. Seattle Pi
3.5
Intended as an anti war polemic that war is dehumanizing. Well, Duh! Even so, this is an entertaining film diminished by the disappointing ending maki .. Tony Medley
4.4
Red State, Blue State, All States, this movie offers food for thought no matter what your political persuasion. Movie Freak
3.8
Although hes perfect for the role, Im not sure that makes his performance outstanding. Movie Habit
2.0
Although more seamless and less contrived than writer/director/producer Paul Haggis Academy Award winning Crash, the picture offers little more than a .. Boxoffice Magazine
3.0
Sure, its good and everything, but you can almost hear Academy members sharpening their ballot pencils in anticipation. Start engraving those trophies .. E Online
4.0
This is a beautiful film hiding the terrible truth that is the horror of war. Film Ink
4.5
Both leads succeed sensationally in this moving drama of crumbled expectations and shocking motives that, though domineeringly focused in its perspect ..
4.5
Haggis, with an exemplary cast, explores shadowy secrets of men in the ranks with a determined brush, tipped with heart piercing irony. Varia Gate
1.5
Its interesting, then, that Franois Girards film adaptation of Silk doesnt take the three hanky approach. The Stranger
5.0
Its an unforgettable, angry film that understands several simple thank yous can trump eruptive, emotive speeches. The Filmy Ap
4.4
Elah isnt an accusatory flag burner anymore than its a rousing flag waver. Big Picture Big Sound
3.1
As a study of one mans grief, In the Valley of Elah has the potential to be one of 2007s finest films.
4.5
The considerable power of the film is contained in Joness hard bitten, movingly understated performance. News Week
4.0
Jones Oscar nominated performance is impeccably judged. His low key turn as a man forced to question everything from the kind of father he was to the .. Entertainment Times Online ..
3.5
makes the fathers pride, determination, stubbornness, patriotism, and love extremely, utterly believable, sympathetic, and involving. Window To The Movies
3.1
self serious tone becomes wearisome, and he fails to explore how the military failed its men while clumsily laying a guilt trip at its feet. Chron
3.1
The problem is, thats the same imagery the rest of the world already associates with the insurgency thats trying to bring the lumbering colossus down. Mercury News
4.0
In the Valley of Elah is the first great movie about the stateside aftermath of the Iraq War and should be considered a companion piece to Hal Ashbys .. Or Lando Weekly
3.0
In the Valley of Elah is an endorsement of doubt, a demand for questioning, wrapped in a package anyone can buy. Guide Live
4.5
Paul Haggis follows up his Oscar winning Crash with this searing drama that uses the police procedural to explore the moral and psychological devastat .. Chicago Reader
3.0
The manly man Texan (Jones was born in San Saba, Texas) gives as good a performance as hes ever given. Tony Mack
3.5
A powerful, imperfect drama let down by the playground polemic of a country still sending its children to be slaughtered overseas. Film4
3.5
...a good mystery, with some thought provoking observations on the effects of war on the hearts and minds of its participants. Movie Metropolis
4.5
Haggis movie is worth seeing mainly for Tommy Lee Jones stoically pinched and intensely focused performance as Hank Deerfield, the Lanny Davis figure. M Tv
2.5
The movie wears each of (its) hot button issues as casually as a runway model might sport the latest Hermes scarf. The topics are brought up, shown of .. James Sanford on Film
4.5
Their interplay brings a sense of self worth and humanity to Sanders that Theron sells with heart and grit.
5.0
After the potent final image of In the Valley of Elah faded to black, I had that very special tingle I get when I know Ive just seen a great movie. Aisle Seat
2.0
Heavy, heavy stuff man, or so thinks Haggis, whose film has an air of laughable self seriousness thats compounded by its deadly obviousness. Nicks Chager
3.5
Its a quality film, but all the truly emotional moments come from watching and listening to the soldiers, which doesnt really happen until the very en .. The Scorecard Review
4.5
Oh, how I love movies where Tommy Lee Jones is looking for someone. I doesnt have to be a criminal, although that is preferred. Theres just nobody who .. Can Mag
4.5
Haggis has taken a simple biblical tale and grafted it onto the complexities of the modern world. IGN Movies
3.0
There should be enough gut troubling truth to In the Valley of Elah to make it transcend political squabbling. Detroit News
3.8
This is a film that is meant to be contemplated and reflected upon, a quietly beautiful emotional depth charge that sneaks into the heart and doesnt l .. The Dispatch (Lexington, N ..
5.0
I am all for dragging this shameful war to the screen, but condescending liberal dreck like In the Valley of Elah is just as awful as a thousand Fox N .. Cine Passion
2.0
So persuasive is Joness contained performance that we learn more about him in the things he doesnt say. Film Critic 1963 Typepad
4.4
A different and devastating look at the residual effects of war, presenting the small pieces of purity its survivors and victims lose, whether or not .. Metromix.com
2.0
While you sometimes feel its length, stick with it its in its layers that the movie comes alive. Week In Rewind
3.0
This movie feels, stilted, long and boring. But its also at times engaging, worth seeing for Jones Oscar quality performance, not much else. If you li .. Eclipse Magazine
3.1
Haggis premise becomes confused; he inadvertently seems to suggest that this war is wrong not because it was unjustified but because of its corrupting .. Commercial Appeal
2.5
In the Valley of Elah doesnt actually say Bring the boys home; it mostly tells us how much Paul Haggis would like to take home another Oscar. Cinematical
4.4
Attempts to depict the manner in which the specter of war can follow a soldier back to civilization and inform every subsequent decision and action.
5.0
Its when the investigation sorts out the knowable (what happened) and then moves into the unknowable (why) that Elah moves beyond genre and becomes on .. Madison
3.8
Roger Deakins beautiful cinematography makes the film look professional, but it doesnt disguise the fact that Haggis isnt a particularly inspired or v ..
3.8
Et cetera.Thankfully the film doesnt beat us over the head with op ed commentary so much that it detracts from what is truly a powerful character driv .. Sea Coast Online
4.4
In the Valley of Elah is so majestic in its themes and searing in execution, its hard to imagine Haggis wont figure prominently in the Oscar race once .. Arizona Daily Star
4.0
It is extraordinary that a film this muted could resonate with a message this strong. Colorado Springs Gazette
4.0
A sombre condemnation of US foreign policy, wrapped in an absorbing whodunit. Sky Cinema
2.5
Will forever be known as the upside down American flag movie. But showing the flag this way is heavy stuff that is supported by the movie the way a bo ..
2.5
Despite an Oscar worthy, compelling performance by Tommy Lee Jones, Haggis anti war film ... overplays its hand. Ac Weekly
4.5
It would be a crime if Jones doesnt receive a Best Actor Oscar nomination, and Sarandons reaction upon hearing the news of Mikes death should get her .. Las Vegas CityLife
1.5
In the Valley of Elah David slew Goliath and Canadian director Paul Haggis tries to slay the US myth on the Good War in Iraq, though David was certain .. european-films.net
1.5
Grueling truths more intimated than spelled out, touching on the battle scars turning normal young men into unimaginable monsters. Long Island Press
2.5
Neither affecting nor cerebral; its a case of going through the motions.



See Where to Watch In the Valley of Elah