In the Valley of Elah (2007)

Movie overview from IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478134/plotsummary
When model soldier Mike Deerfield (Jonathan Tucker) mysteriously goes AWOL, shortly after returning to the U.S. from the front lines in Iraq, his career officer father Hank (Tommy Lee Jones), enlists the aid of police detective Emily Sanders (Charlize Theron) in the search for his son. His wife Joan (Susan Sarandon) also joins them to uncover the truth of his disappearance. Written and directed by Paul Haggis ("Crash"). Inspired by Mark Boal's Playboy Magazine article. Written by alfiehitchie

Harlod's Review: I was a little unimpressed by this movie and not moved as much as I knew the filmmaker wanted me to be.

I know I am not going to be popular with this review, but Paul Haggis' newest film "In the Valley of Elah" did not impress me that much. I went into the movie not really knowing what it was about so I had no advanced warning other than that I had heard it was getting good reviews and that it was a Paul Haggis film. I loved "Crash" so I assumed I would love this as well.

The main message of what these soldiers were going through seemed muddled and confused. The relationship between the wife and husband seemed proven and aged, but I really saw no emotion there.

The soldiers multiple confessions seemed fake throughout and forced. Of course something was going on, but even the quick ending to the movie with the soldiers confession I was waiting for more. I sat there wondering what the real story was. There was no way this confession was real. Even after the movie ended I was still not sure. Seemed to tidy. Maybe that was the point, but it left me more confused than anything.

No one really seemed that concerned about this kid. The father was so morose and stubborn that I was not sure he really wanted to find the kid or his killers. Even the Mother's pain was not convincing to me. The only real pain you saw was one phone call and a turned over table.

One thing that really bothered me was the short film clips throughout the movie. I could not ever really see what was on them. Even with the explanation at the end of the movie, I was still unsure what I saw. Maybe that was intended.

I usually find myself absorbed in a movie, but I found myself looking around the theater about half way through wondering what the other people were thinking.

You could also tell that there was missing pieces from the film. An obvious one was at the very end when he drives off an she is holding his Bible. When did he give that to her? Maybe that happened when I was looking around the theater!

Is it too soon to be talking about the war and what is happening to our soldiers? No. Is it important to share this pain? Yes. I am just not sure this movie helped the cause that much.