Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
A career officer and his wife work with a police detective to uncover the truth behind their son's disappearance following his return from a tour of duty in Iraq.
In the Valley of Elah is elevated primarily by Paul Haggis's tightly constructed procedural narrative that doubles as a searing indictment of the Iraq War's psychological toll on returning soldiers — the plot earns top marks for its layered moral weight. Tommy Lee Jones delivers a career-best performance, anchored by quiet devastation, and Charlize Theron provides strong support, making acting a genuine standout. Cinematography by Roger Deakins is competent and muted in tone, fitting the subject but not particularly distinctive. The film occupies a well-worn missing-persons/murder-mystery framework that limits novelty, though its specific thematic focus on PTSD and military disillusionment adds some distinction. The ending — the symbolic flag-flying scene — is emotionally resonant but a touch on-the-nose, landing as effective rather than exceptional.