MovieChat Forums > In the Valley of Elah (2007) Discussion > Why did you have to ruin it with the ran...

Why did you have to ruin it with the random "racism" plot line?

posted 8 years ago by Blisty
3 replies | jump to latest

Dear Movie Producers,

The instant that Tommy Lee Jones called the suspected killer a "wet back", the entire audience knew that this guy wasn't the real killer and that this was a red herring that would eventually lead to Tommy "learning the error of his ways".

It's a fine message... But this isn't its place.
I was really transfixed with this movie and this random "after school special" plot line, knocked me right out of it.

Don't taint such a great film because you want to pat yourself on the back for "fighting racism with your art". (As if this random lesson on prejudice - shoehorned into the middle of a movie - is going to be the epiphany that ends someone's bigoted beliefs.)

If you want to fight bigotry then donate a chunk of your vast wealth to the ACLU.

But please just let me watch your movies without being haphazardly preached at.

Thank you.

[–] Wuchakk 8 years ago

The movie balanced it out with explicit commentary on the Mexican drug cartels and their utterly brutal killings, so its not like the film was saying that all Hispanics are innocent. Scapegoating based on race/sub-culture happens all the time and the movie simply reflects this. Plus it led to a great scene where Hank (Jones) mans-up and apologizes, to which he's forgiven. Say what you will, but this is great stuff.

If you want to fight bigotry then donate a chunk of your vast wealth to the ACLU.

Wow, that's the absolute worst advice I've heard in a long time. You don't know much about the ACLU, do you?

My 175 (or so) Favorite Movies:
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070122364/

[–] Ithilfaen 8 years ago

The whole movie is about things looking like one thing on the surface and being completely different deep down. How does racism not fit into that picture?

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

[–] thepooles-1 8 years ago

Hank was a monster- a clueless jerk who didn't even fully understand the David and Goliath thingee. His son Mike became a sadist during his tour in Iraq just like the Israelite boy David became a sadist by beheading Goliath while Goliath was still semi conscious. Of course that is just Biblical folklore. Haggis carefully made him a monster and threw in a few notable flaws. Hanks faux epiphany with the flag was well done. The only one who had a true epiphany was Hank's wife who I suspect was soon to move out and go it alone. She didn't want to be sleeping with such a dangerously clueless male.