In The Valley Of Elah
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Warner Independent Pictures  (2007) 125 mins R

7.5 (19,344 votes)
Mike Deerfield (Jonathan Tucker) just recently returned from Iraq, leaving behind his sordid experiences but never being able to forget them. He mysteriously disappears, leaving his parents confused and worried. His father, war veteran Hank (Tommy Lee Jones), and mother, Joan (Susan Sarandon) are worried about what he’s gotten himself into. Detective Emily Sanders (Charlize Theron) becomes involved with the case, and finds herself becoming personally attached to the family. When Mike’s body is found, dismembered and destroyed, everyone begins to learn the truth about what he and his friends really did in Iraq. Maybe the horror of their own acts was just too much for Mike and his friends to handle....

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Cast and Crew
Tommy Lee Jones  ......  Hank Deerfield
Charlize Theron  ......  Det. Emily Sanders
Joseph Bertot  ......  Juan
Brent Briscoe  ......  Detective Hodge
Devin Brochu  ......  David Sanders
Josh Brolin  ......  Chief Buchwald
Director  .....  Paul Haggis
Producer  .....  Paul Haggis; Patrick Wachsberger; Laurence Becsey; Darlene Caamano
Writer  .....  Paul Haggis; Mark Boal
Cinematography  .....  Roger Deakins
Musician  .....  Mark Isham
Notes
Goofs:
Factual errors: As a matter of fact, a blue car under a monochromatic yellow light, probably a sodium light outside of the gun shop, will not appear green, but will appear gray. Rather, it will be a darker yellow. There is no way a blue car will appear green without blue or green wavelengths in the light source. (more)

Trivia:
Sevveral of the actors who played soldiers, including Wes Chatham (Corporal Steve Penning), Jake McLaughlin (Spc. Gordon Bonner) and Sean Huze (Captain Jim Osher) had actually served in the Iraq War themselves. (more)

Filming Locations:
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA (more)

Quotes:
Hank Deerfield: Goliath challenged the Israelite army to send their best man down to fight him, but no one would go down to fight him.
David Sanders: Why didn't they shoot him with arrows?
Hank Deerfield: That wouldn't have been fair.
(more)

Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations (more)