In the Valley of Elah

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In the Valley of Elah

R

Released Sep 21, 2007

2h 1m

Drama

War

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Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

161 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A police detective (Charlize Theron) helps a retired Army sergeant (Tommy Lee Jones) search for his son, a soldier who went missing soon after returning from Iraq. Hank Deerfield, a Vietnam War veteran, learns that his son may have met with foul play after a night on the town with members of his platoon.

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Critics Consensus

Though some of Paul Haggis's themes are heavy-handed, In the Valley of Elah is otherwise an engrossing murder mystery and antiwar statement, featuring a mesmerizing performance from Tommy Lee Jones.

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Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 3/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Jones' Oscar-nominated performance is impeccably judged. His low-key turn as a man forced to question everything from the kind of father he was to the nature of the country he fought for could be the contender to give Daniel Day-Lewis a run for his money.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 24, 2008

Full Review

Neil Smith

BBC.com

Powerful, downbeat drama with an anti-war message.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 24, 2008

Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

This introspective co-writing effort with The Hurt Locker scribe Mark Boal might be the pinnacle of Haggis’ career. The rest of Haggis’ filmography has been a letdown, but at least for this one moment in cinema, he got it mostly right.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 6, 2022

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

A powerhouse of moral conflicts and unpredictable resolutions.

Rated: 9/10

Nov 26, 2020

Full Review

Carlos Marañón

Cinemanía (Spain)

Tommy Lee Jones composes an unforgettable character. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4.5/5

Oct 28, 2020

Full Review

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

Full Review

Emilliano Jr S

Well-acted drama with ensemble casts.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/23/24

Full Review

Bulgantamir B

The director is a good person with experience

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/24

Full Review

Godfrey D

Its a really good movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/24

Full Review

Бавуу Э

A police detective (Charlize Theron) helps a retired Army sergeant (Tommy Lee Jones) search for his son, a soldier who went missing soon after returning from Iraq. Hank Deerfield, a Vietnam War veteran, learns that his son may have met with foul play after a night on the town with members of his platoon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Good acting with a meh to alright story 3.0

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/02/23

Full Review

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Paul Haggis

Director

Tommy Lee Jones

Hank Deerfield

Charlize Theron

Det. Emily Sanders

Jason Patric

Lt. Kirklander

Susan Sarandon

Joan Deerfield

James Franco

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Synopsis

A police detective (Charlize Theron) helps a retired Army sergeant (Tommy Lee Jones) search for his son, a soldier who went missing soon after returning from Iraq. Hank Deerfield, a Vietnam War veteran, learns that his son may have met with foul play after a night on the town with members of his platoon.

Director: Paul Haggis
Producer: Paul Haggis, Laurence Becsey, Patrick Wachsberger, Steve Samuels, Darlene Caamano Loquet
Screenwriter: Paul Haggis
Production Co: Samuels Media, Summit Entertainment, Blackfriars Bridge, Nala Films
Rating: R (Some Sexuality/Nudity|Language|Violent and Disturbing Content)
Genre: Drama, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 21, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.8M
Runtime: 2h 1m

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