Down in the Valley

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Down in the Valley ★★ 2005 (R)

Wannabe cowboy hero Harlan (Edwards) befriends rebellious, aimless teen Tobe (Wood) and her shy younger brother Lon-nie (Culkin). They're the children of tough San Fernando Valley sheriff Wade (Morse), who immediately distrusts this soft-spoken, tale-spinning stranger. And with good reason, since Harlan is delusional at best and dangerous at his worst. No matter the talent, flick stretches credibility—particularly in its last act. 114m/C DVD . US Edward Norton, Evan Rachel Wood, David Morse, Rory Culkin, John Diehl, Kat Dennings, Hunter Parrish, Bruce Dern, Muse Watson, Geoffrey Lewis, Aviva, Aaron Fors, Heather Ashleigh; D: David Jacobson; W: David Jacobson; C: En-rique Chediak.