In the Valley of Elah (2007)

Another Piece of Fiction Claiming to Be Based on True Events

As soon as I saw the, "Based on True Events" disclaimer at the beginning of the film, I immediately became suspicious that the film would use dramatic license too liberally.

And it did. Yes, some soldiers murdered another soldier. Yes, they tried to burn the remains. But that's where the similarities end.

This is just another despicable, "The war is making baby killers out of our boys" film that exploits a true life tragedy to advance anti-war sentiment...and dishonors the other brave men and women who did serve honorably in Iraq.

Everything else depicted in the film did not happen--no cell phone with graphic videos of events in Iraq, no father doing his own detective work, no fried chicken after the murder, no brother who also got killed in Iraq, no assisting female detective, no sexist pig detectives, no suicide, no stonewalling military police, no city police unwilling to investigate...

One word sums this movie up perfectly--fraud. If it were just a work of fiction, fine. But instead it tries to dupe the audience into thinking it's real by claiming it's based on true events.
August 26, 2008

Valley of Elah

a slow and twisting plot line. excellent acting. original story. no real surprises, but the actors work very well together and the movie reveals itself. too intense for children, but a great movie with very little real war footage. July 26, 2008

The movie of Jones

In the first place, the camera should not have left Jones. Superb performance as usual. It is an affecting movie that touches every heart. I strongly recommend this title. July 24, 2008

In the Valley of Elah

Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron give stand out performance in this drama about a retired Army Sergeant, played by Jones, trying to find out why his son has gone missing after returning from Iraq. His investigation takes him from his sons closest friends in the military to local bars and a restaurant. He gets the assistance of a female police detective, played by Theron, that is first reluctant but then more than understanding of his concern. The support cast were excellent and do a fine job making the story come to life. I am a fan of Lee's anyway, but this movie is well worth owning because of the acting, directing, story, sets, and music. Great quality DVD with good replayability. If you enjoyed this be sure to catch "Courage Under Fire" "The Package", and "Off Limits". - C. Luster July 14, 2008

an excellent dvd

a little drawn out , but well worth the money and time invested in this movie it gives us all a little insight on what goes on in the military and since it is based on a true story it is well worth adding to anyones dvd collection. July 9, 2008

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