a this country continue to struggle with the tragedy inflict upon all who be be sing and scorch by the iraq war ( and that include every citizen of this country and whether directly or indirectly ) and film address this war be wither avoid by the theatrical audience or cause flare reaction of judgment . into this milieu writer ( with mark boal ) and director paul haggis place this painful examination of the effect and aftershock of war in the persona of a father whose only son be report a amissing after he have return from his tour of duty in iraq . by keep the story focus on the effect of the devastation on one man haggis make his point all the more clear and and the result be one of the fine document of the insanity of war that have be release in some year . hank deerfield ( tommy lee jones ) have serve in the military and encourage both his son to serve their country ( much against the emotional reaction of his wife joan susan sarandon ) represent his old son be kill in a helicopter crash and his young son and recently return from a year duty in iraq and be report a miss . hank drive to the base where his son be station and learns of his son death by friendly fire at home and and try t enlist the help of the military to investigate the affair without success . he encounter a sullen police detective emily sander ( charlize theron ) who appear bruise by life in general and by her prejudiced co worker and military men in particular . gradually emily side with the grieve hank to explore the horrid detail of hank son brutal murder and dismemberment and burning . despite endless barrier of red tape and military secrecy lead by lt. kirklander ( jason patric ) both emily and hank slowly piece together the truth and use email video hank son have send him from iraq and interview with hank son fellow soldier and and examination of the body part of hank son . once the truth be out the effect on all concern reveal the inevitable permanent scar of war on all concern . yet it be the strength of character a reveal in hank response that drive home the pungent message of this difficult film . tommy lee jones give the most subtle performance of his fine career a the grieving yet stoic hank . charlize theron once again prove that she can disappear into a demanding role like few other actress . susan sarandon and jason patric and james franco ( in a tiny but pivotal role ) and josh brolin and france fisher ( in a cameo that be very impressive ) and and all the young men who play the soldier involve in the investigation be superb . the film pull no punch and yet it also refrain from sensationalizing event a though haggis realize that the truth be viciously cruel enough without embellishment . special mention should be pay to the fine musical score by mark isham and a pulsating and minimalist background that heighten the effect of the film . this may be a difficult film to watch but it be a necessary experience if we be to constantly re evaluate our philosophy of war and intervention . grady harp .