Neal Vitale Reviews (on DVD): In The Valley Of Elah

4.5 stars out of 5   

I missed this film by Paul Haggis (Crash) in its theatrical release, as did apparently most everyone else - In The Valley Of Elah grossed under $7 million domestically (compare with Oscar winner No Country For Old Men at box office receipts of nearly $75 million). It is a shame that Elah has been overlooked, as it is a brilliant work, haunting and subtle, recounting the tale of a soldier gone missing upon his return from Iraq. Tommy Lee Jones, in an Oscar-nominated role, is the centerpiece of the film, searching for the details of what has happened to his son; supporting performances by Charlize Theron, Jason Patric, Frances Fisher, James Franco, Susan Sarandon, and Josh Brolin, are not flashy but rock-solid. The story is a dark one, larded with misdirection and revelation, emerging in impressionistic fashion over the slow progression of the film. Jones, playing a career officer, underscores the powerful contrasts between different generations of warfare and the military. In The Valley Of Elah has much to recommend it - now out on DVD, it should not remain unseen.