In the Bible, David faced the Philistine giant Goliath in the valley of Elah. Of course David over came his fear and defeated the evil giant showing generations to come that if you stand up for what you believe in, you are certain to prevail. "Elah" tells the story of Hank Deerfield (Jones), a military father who is informed that his son (Jonathan Tucker), who has just returned from Iraq, is missing.
Taking the investigation into his own hands, Deerfield attempts to track down his son with the help of the sultry detective Emily Sanders (Theron). This film roots not only in the mental tortures of war but the aftermath afflicting soldiers as they return home. Although writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash) puts together a slow moving, gripping mystery, the obvious motive of this film is to illustrate that even after soldiers return from war, they are cursed with unseen mental scars that are hazardous to themselves and others.
This film shines light on a heartbreaking part of war unknown to most. The acting across the board is awe-inspiring. Jones has pure command of this film and with his touching, ailing father mode mixed with retired military sternness, he not only acts out this role, but he becomes it.
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