In the Valley of Elah (2007)
Crime, Drama, Mystery |.
In the Valley of Elah is a American crime drama mystery film written and directed by Paul Haggis, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, and Susan Sarandon. The film’s title refers to the Biblical valley where the battle between David and Goliath took place.
Paul Haggis’s In The Valley of Elah is based on actual events, although the characters’ names and locations have been changed. The screenplay was inspired by journalist Mark Boal’s “Death and Dishonor”, an article about the murder case published in Playboy magazine in 2004.
The film tells the story of military police veteran Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones), his wife Joan (Susan Sarandon) and their search for their son Mike (Jonathan Tucker). A soldier recently returned from Iraq, Mike has suddenly gone missing. Deerfield’s investigation is aided by a police detective (Charlize Theron), who becomes personally involved in the case.
Mike’s dismembered and burned body is eventually found. Military officials initially attempt to block the police investigation; they suggest Mike’s death was due to drug-related violence. His platoonmates who last saw him lie to Deerfield and the police. Deerfield tells the police that although he suspects the soldiers are lying about something, he believes they could not have killed their comrade.
Director: Paul Haggis
Writers: Paul Haggis (screenplay & story), Mark Boal (story)
Stars: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Jonathan Tucker, Susan Sarandon, James Franco, Jason Patric, Frances Fisher
Cast:
| Tommy Lee Jones | … | Hank Deerfield |
| Charlize Theron | … | Det. Emily Sanders |
| Jason Patric | … | Lt. Kirklander |
| Susan Sarandon | … | Joan Deerfield |
| James Franco | … | Sgt. Dan Carnelli |
| Barry Corbin | … | Arnold Bickman |
| Josh Brolin | … | Chief Buchwald |
| Frances Fisher | … | Evie |
| Wes Chatham | … | Corporal Steve Penning |
| Jake McLaughlin | … | Spc. Gordon Bonner |
| Mehcad Brooks | … | Spc. Ennis Long |
| Jonathan Tucker | … | Mike Deerfield |
| Wayne Duvall | … | Detective Nugent |
| Roman Arabia | … | Private Robert Ortiez (as Victor Wolf) |
| Brent Briscoe | … | Detective Hodge |
| Greg Serano | … | Detective Manny Nunez (as Greg Serrano) |
| Brent Sexton | … | Lt. Burke |
| Devin Brochu | … | David Sanders |
| Zoe Kazan | … | Angie |
| Glenn Taranto | … | Detective Wayne |
| Jennifer Siebel Newsom | … | Jodie (as Jennifer Siebel) |
| Joseph Bertót | … | School Janitor (as Joseph Bertot) |
| Rick Gonzalez | … | Phone Technician (as Rick Gonzales) |
| Loren Haynes | … | Police Photographer |
| Babak Tafti | … | Iraqi Prisoner |
| Sean Huze | … | Captain Jim Osher |
| Jack Merrill | … | Medical Examiner |
| Kathy Lamkin | … | Chicken Shack Manager |
| David Doty | … | Truck Parts Salesman |
| Pab Schwendimann | … | Pussy’s Bouncer |
| Josh Meyer | … | Joseph R. Millard |
| Arron Shiver | … | Cop |
| Jo Harvey Allen | … | Jo Anne |
| Chris Browning | … | Checker Box Bartender |
| David House | … | Morgue Officer |
| Matthew Page | … | Guard (as Matt Page) |
| Pierre Barrera | … | TD’s Bartender |
| Mike Hatfield | … | Jo Anne’s Husband |
| James Haggis | … | Soccer Ball Player |
| Randall Adams | … | New Recruit |
| Hans Steckly | … | Corporal Steckly |
| Arlin Alcala | … | Neighbor (uncredited) |
| James Blackburn | … | Cowboy (uncredited) |
| Damion Cruzz | … | Soldier Sam (uncredited) |
| Diego Deane | … | Military Police Officer (uncredited) |
| Esodie Geiger | … | Military Nurse (uncredited) |
| Karen M. Hudson | … | Office Detective (uncredited) |
| Laurie Johnson | … | Neighbor (uncredited) |
| Daniel Knight | … | Detective (uncredited) |
| William E. Marshall | … | Detective (uncredited) |
| Tracy Melhorn | … | Bartender (uncredited) |
| Z. Ray Wakeman | … | Detective Driver (uncredited) |
| Brandon Weaver | … | Morgue Tech (uncredited) |
| Wil Willis | … | Angie’s Husband (uncredited) |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia