Review: ‘Valley of Elah’ shows dehumanizing effects of war

Directed by: Paul Haggis

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon, Jason Patric

Rated: R

There are a handful of actors who have made such an indelible impression on me that I’ll never forget the first time I saw them onscreen: Juliette Binoche (“The Unbearable Lightness of Being”), Steve Buscemi (“Reservoir Dogs”), Carole Lombard (“Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” the Hitchcock film) and, at the top of the list, Tommy Lee Jones (“Rolling Thunder”).

Paul Schrader, who wrote the screenplays for “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” “Bringing Out the Dead” and other fairly intense films, penned “Rolling Thunder.” It’s the story of a couple of Vietnam War vets who come home having been emotionally devastated by their experiences. Jones is not the star – William Devane is – but is in a major supporting role. When his character is first introduced, it’s hard to believe Jones is not, in actuality, in the same emotional state as the character he’s playing. There is an intensity behind his gaze that speaks volumes, and he’s made a career out of that look. Even in his lighter roles (“Men in Black,” “Man of the House”) the look is there.

That trademark troubled stare has never been used more effectively than in director Paul Haggis’ latest film, “In the Valley of Elah.” No other actor could embody the role Jones plays here with such power and believability. Jones’ acting here is almost understated. The gaze does the lion’s share of the work.

Jones plays Hank Deerfield, a retired military man whose son, Mike, has just come home from a tour of duty in Iraq. The Army calls Hank to tell him Mike is AWOL. Hank immediately knows something is amiss, and the film is a document of his search for the truth. The journey takes him down some disturbing paths, and by the climax of the film, Hank, and the viewer, have uncovered things that might make sleeping a little difficult for a while.

Upon the news his son is missing, Hank takes off for Fort Rudd where Mike was stationed. Anyone who’s ever been to the towns surrounding military bases (think St. Robert, outside of Fort Leonard Wood) knows they are somewhat colorful places, to say the least. Hank’s investigation takes him not only to the local police station, but to strip clubs, a chicken shack and the local morgue.

It’s at the latter location he’s shown some charred pieces of a dismembered, burned corpse and told the authorities have reason to believe this is what’s left of Mike. Hank manages to distract the man on duty and pockets the cell phone that is among the effects found on the scene.

Hank gets a phone geek to salvage some of the video content that was recorded on the phone and gets a few more (disturbing) clues about his son’s life … and hopefully clues about who killed him.

Charlize Theron plays local police detective Emily Sanders, a woman who’s constantly being derided and taunted by her sexist co-workers. She ignores them for the most part and begins looking into the case Hank is trying to solve. To screenplay co-writer Haggis’ credit, he sidesteps all of the clichés that would be easy to fall into with a character like Detective Sanders. She’s not a raging feminist, she doesn’t fall for Hank or even particularly sympathize with him. She’s doing her job because that’s her job.

The other leading lady is Susan Sarandon as Hank’s wife, Joan. Sarandon’s on-screen time is short but the role is a powerful one. We learn that the Deerfields have already lost one son to war and there’s no doubt that Joan is trying her best to hold herself together when faced with the possibility of having lost her other son as well. Sarandon’s anti-war politics are well known, but she plays this character with dignity and restraint.

The story of what actually happened to Mike reveals itself much like peeling an onion. For each thing Hank discovers, new questions arise. In the end, the truth is gut-wrenching, and “In the Valley of Elah” makes some unmistakable statements about how war can dehumanize even those with the noblest of intentions.

Haggis’ film is a great mystery story and can be enjoyed by any fan of the genre, regardless of one’s view on war.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield freelance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.[[In-content Ad]]