In the Valley of Ellah is a political movie. Its catalyst is the horror of the Iraq war. At several points in the movie it states that what is happening in Iraq is worse than any previous war. It also hints that the military is more than willing to cover up bad behavior.
If this message is contrary to your politics, you will hate this movie.
If you can swallow the message, the movie has a lot to offer. Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron both put in solid performances. The pacing is excellent. The story is moving. The suspense is well maintained.
Jones plays a father trying to find out how his son is killed. He refuses to accept the easy answer offered up by the military and pushes Theron's character to investigate further. He does an excellent job of playing the regimented ex-MP. He is tough, but you can see the depth running bellow the surface.
Theron's single mom, run down, possibly sleeping with the boss, disrespected detective is well done. Theron seems to do her best work when she is playing a rundown everywoman. Perhaps we just give her a pass because that character is so far away from the scary hot reality that is Charlize Theron.
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