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| In the Valley of Elah | 
 enlarge | Actors: Josh Brolin, Barry Corbin, Wayne Duvall, Frances Fisher, Tommy Lee Jones
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $4.62
You Save: $15.36 (77%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $2.77
Avg. Customer Rating:  (94 reviews)
Sales Rank: 2308
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 121 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: WARD117627D
UPC: 085391176275
EAN: 0085391176275
ASIN: B0011V7PSC
Release Date: February 19, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 We all must conquer our own fear first! March 23, 2008
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is the first movie I watch on Apple TV. I downloaded it from iTunes as a rental, and had twenty-four hours to watch it once I started it. The movie was clear, but the audio was not that great. I tried playing around with the Apple TV and the Sony Bravia's settings, and somewhat improved the sound quality. I am not sure whether the audio problem was due to the download or to the settings on my Apple TV and Sony Bravia.
I watched this movie outdoors in my farm, with a bonfire to keep my friends and I warm. I personally loved this movie, but my friends did not. They found it too slow, and didn't really understand what was going on. Two of my friends fell asleep (maybe it was the cold weather and the bonfire).
The movie is about an American soldier who had served in Iraq and who goes missing. His father, played by Tommy Lee Jones, sets out to find him. Throughout the movie we learn of the atrocity of war, and the psychological effect it has on soldiers. The movie portrays that the real villain is not the Iraq war, but war itself. All wars are evil, and there never is a good side. The movie has as a message that not only is the US losing its soldiers in Iraq; it is even losing the ones that return home. The scars of war are hard to heal.
The character of Detective Emily Sanders (Charlize Theron) is very well played and believable. Some reviewers have commented that she is too beautiful for the role. True, but she plays the role in such a natural and `plain' way that makes her very believable. She does not exude her sexuality, and one tends to quickly overlook her beauty for her genuine concern for the case at hand. She somehow dissolves into her character, and at one point I didn't even realize that it was Theron playing the part. She really is a great actress.
Tommy Lee Jones is another great actor. He expresses emotions so well that he need not say much or move much; the expression on his face says it all.
The title of the movie is derived from a Biblical story. The Valley of Elah is the scene of the battle between David and Goliath. In the Biblical story, Goliath was a ruthless and much feared warrior. He was a giant, and all feared him. No one dared to fight him. But one day, a young boy by the name of David volunteers to fight Goliath. The boy is so small that he floats in his armor. The story relates that upon seeing young David, Goliath charged upon him. Seconds before reaching him and slaughtering him, young David used his sling shot to catapult a stone on Goliath's head. Goliath instantly fell to his death from the blow. Young David, later King David, had to first overcome his fear in order to face and beat Goliath. The message the producers are giving us is clear.
The movie is seen by many as an anti-war movie. I saw it in that light too, and applaud all the crew and actors for this great movie. All wars are wrong and immoral, and no one can possibly justify them! Why do we spend billions of dollars killing each other when Life, given sometime, will do it for us, and for free!
The ending of this movie is one of the most memorable I have seen in a movie, and one that will stay with you for a long time. We see the US flag flying upside down, a sign of distress.
I strongly recommend this movie to all.
Not just about IRAQ war. It's about the love and emotional guilt a father has for his lost son. March 21, 2008
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
By just looking at this movie as just another anti-war film, I believe one misses the most important part of the film... the love the father (Tommy Lee Jones) had for his sons and the guilt he felt by allowing them to follow his footsteps (Even though their deaths weren't his fault) and for him to not be there for them when they needed him. I also liked the scene when Tommy told the story to the little boy at bedtime. I thought that was an excellent touch that showed that he was a great father even though he had his weaknesses (being to hardcore at times). This movie shows how powerful and influencal a father can be in the lives of his children. I like that. During the movie whenever Tommy's son cried out for help during the war... he cried out for his father. Usually during movies Dad's never get credit or thought about. I'm glad there have been more movies made more recently that shows the value of fathers - The pursuit of happyness, Martian Child, Dear Frankie, John Q... etc. Maybe if the media starts showing that it is normal for a father to care about their children, there would be less dead-beat dads.... just a thought.
 Iraq War as cheap plot device for motive = not good March 16, 2008
8 out of 15 found this review helpful
This movie really goes nowhere and uses Iraq induced PTSD as a cheap (as in no class) plot device to explain inhuman behavior. I'm not buying the screenplay or the insensitivity. The acting is 1st rate, but I have no idea why Jones or Theron would appear in this. The war and its effects is fair game for inspection... it just needs a truer more meaningfull vehicle. 2 stars is for the acting, otherwise just 1.
NOTE: It's always interesting to see reviews, and voting on reviews such as mine. I find it amazing that the 'motive' for this crime is considered plausible and that having a group chicken dinner afterwards "because we were hungry" fits in with a 5 star screenplay.
Wonderfully Thought Provoking and Real March 14, 2008
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
For someone who is generally not against the War in Iraq and very much in support of our soldiers and all that they do, I was a little apprehensive about seeing this film. After all, I had heard that it was yet another liberal attempt at forcing us to believe what we are doing is wrong and unjust. However, after viewing this film I was pleasantly surprised. Forget what you know or what you think you know about this War and watch this movie with an open mind and you too will share my enjoyment. Not only was the acting by Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron great but the story line was one of the most engaging I've experienced in recent film history. In the end the viewer is left with some deeply personal emotions and reflections about humanity, be them good or bad. To be able to stir feelings like that in someone who is hardened by so many lives tragically lost, as I am, is truly amazing. I applaud the cast and crew of this film. Bravo.
 Another anti-war movie March 12, 2008
6 out of 13 found this review helpful
Really good performances here. Tommy, Charlize and briefly, Susan Sarandon, my favorite left-wing liberal cuckoo girl! The story isn't all that much. Nothing really original here. Most of the recent spate of "anti-war" movies aren't really anti-war at all, because liberals have never actually cared about Americans dying in a foreign country for no real reason, which is what is happening now in Afghanistan and Iraq. These liberal made movies are really about the fact that there is a Republican in the White House and they want one of their own, which they will surely have for better or worse, by next year. This is really a B-grade movie, except for the star power. I will watch just about anything with a combo like Tommy Lee and Charlize. Too bad they didn't have something better to work with.
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