IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH
Year: 2007
USA: Warner Independent Pictures
UK: Optimum Releasing
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon, Jason Patric, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Frances Fisher, Jonathan Tucker, Mehcad Brooks, Wes Chatham, Jake McLaughlin, Victor Wolf, Wayne Duvall, Barry Corbin, Brent Briscoe, Greg Serano, Brent Sexton, Devin Brochu, Zoe Kazan, Glenn Taranto, Jennifer Siebel
Director: Paul Haggis
Country: USA
USA: 120 mins
UK: 121 mins
USA Rated: R for violent and disturbing content, language and some sexuality/nudity
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language, moderate grisly images and nudity
USA Release Date: 14 September 2007 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 25 January 2008
UK DVD Release Date: 26 May 2008
UK Distributor
Synopsis
On his first weekend back after serving in Iraq, Mike Deerfield (Jonathan Tucker) is reported AWOL when he mysteriously goes missing. Soon afterwards his parents, Joan (Susan Sarandon) and Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones), a former military MP, receive a phone call with the disturbing news, Hank sets out to search for their son. Police detective Emily Sanders (Charlize Theron) also becomes involved in the search as her jurisdiction encompasses where Mike was last seen and reluctantly helps him in his search.
As the evidence accumulates, Emily's missing person's case begins to look more and more like foul play. She then finds herself in a fight with the military brass and joins forces with Hank as they struggle to keep control of the investigation. But when the truth about Mike's time in Iraq finally begins to emerge, Hank's entire world is challenged and he's forced to re-evaluate long-held beliefs to solve the mystery behind his son's disappearance.
IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH is a thought-provoking drama inspired by true events from acclaimed filmmaker Paul Haggis and stars Oscar®-winning actors Tommy Lee Jones (THE FUGITIVE, MEN IN BLACK), Charlize Theron (NORTH COUNTRY, MONSTER) and Susan Sarandon (MR WOODCOCK). Paul Haggis directs from his original screenplay based on a story by Mark Boal and Haggis. This is Haggis' directing follow-up to the Academy Award-winning CRASH.