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In the Valley of Elah
In the Valley of Elah Image
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Metascore
65 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Charlize Theron, Jonathan Tucker, Tommy Lee Jones
  • Summary: In the Valley of Elah tells the story of a war veteran, his wife and the search for their son, a soldier who recently returned from Iraq but has mysteriously gone missing, as well as the police detective who helps in the investigation. (Warner Independent Pictures)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    Paul Haggis' In the Valley of Elah is built on Tommy Lee Jones' persona, and that is why it works so well. The same material could have been banal or routine with an actor trying to be "earnest" and "sincere."
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tamara Straus
    100
    For the most part it is an effective, disturbing and - a rarity for Haggis - subtle exploration of the stateside war story.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    60
    However you judge the movie's politics, and whatever its flaws, there is something inarguable, something irreducibly honest and right, about Mr. Jones's performance.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 31
  3. Negative: 5 out of 31
  1. ClaireM.
    10
    One of the best films I've seen in a,ong time. Deserves an 11. Tommy Lee Jones is marvelous in the film and Charlize Theron is very good as a woman struggling for respect in a sexist environment. This is a sad, subtle and very good movie, designed to make you feel the impact of large events on little lives...… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. CydneyB.
    5
    Except for Tommy Lee Jones' performance, this is a predictable piece of Hollywood schlock. Treachly music at end... Charlize Theron is just plain boring, and Susan Sarandon is wasted. What a snore.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. LanceD.
    2
    Intriguing yet disappointing. Haggis did not explore Tommy Jones realization that his "good boy" son had morphed into a man performing unspeakable deeds while serving in an Army which he had influenced his son to join. The ending with the flag and the school janitor made me LOL so hard. It was so indignant and ungrateful to our troops and country. I have completely lost hope for Hollywood drama movies. If they cannot realize that the problem is the PRODUCT and not the buyers for the slumping movie industry than they are truly disconnected and have a mental disease. Enough with the Anti-America, Anti-War, Anti-Republican movies. We get it, Hollywood is overflowing with liberals.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 31 User Reviews

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