The Messenger
An injured U.S. soldier, Sgt. Will Montgomery (Ben Foster, 3:10 to Yuma), is paired up with an off-kilter, by-the-book vet, Capt. Tony Stone (Golden Globe nominee Woody Harrelson), to notify families of fallen soldiers - a job that gets thorny when Montgomery breaks the rules and starts a relationship with a woman he's recently notified (two time Oscar Nominee Samantha Morton.). Featuring a brilliant directorial debut by Oren Moverman and tour-de-force performances from Foster, Harrelson and Morton, The Messenger is a surprising, moving and ultimately human portrait of grief, friendship and love.
Member Reviews
Extremely affecting film, and most definitely a worthwhile - moviemonger
For the most part, THE MESSENGER is an extremely affecting film, reminiscent of the seventies anti-war classic, COMING HOME. While it’s probably less obviously anti-war that that flick, the message is the same; that we must never forget the human cost of war, which is very costly indeed. This message is really driven home through the six notification scenes, with the families of the fallen soldiers sometimes reacting with tears, denial, or, in one especially harrowing scene. I honestly could not imagine a more unpleasant job than being a casualty notification officer. The toll the job takes on the soul is conveyed brilliantly by Woody Harrelson, as the veteran notification officer. However, Harrelson’s not technically the star of THE MESSENGER. Ben Foster, plays the role of the protagonist very intensely. THE MESSENGER is most definitely a worthwhile film. The massage is important, and the acting from Harrelson is incredible. While I had serious problems with a good chunk of the film, it’s still an easy recommendation.Lonely, dark, sad - Sheenie
This is a slow moving, sad story about army life and delivering the bad news. Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster are convincing in their roles as young and old army veterans assigned to visit soldiers' next of kin to tell them the soldier has died. Samantha Morton is excellent as a strong and sweet widow, and koodos to the producers for getting a strong actress to play this role instead of the latest "it" girl. This is a dark movie, with scenes of nudity and sexuality (and yet none with Morton, which only brings strength to her character).9 out of 10 - MrMoviePicker
The series of human confrontations in this film are as nerve-wracking and compelling as any pitched war-film battle or bloody firefight.
From the marketing THE MESSENGER looks pretty straightforward: Messengers are assigned to deliver the worst possible news to the loved ones of soldiers. How unique could this really be?
Well, somehow this film does manage to play it straight--with military precision, and its observations on the human condition are all the more shocking and profound for that.
One of the best human experience stories of the decade.
Score: 9 out of 10.
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Extremely affecting film, and most definitely a worthwhile - moviemonger
For the most part, THE MESSENGER is an extremely affecting film, reminiscent of the seventies anti-war classic, COMING HOME. While it’s probably less obviously anti-war that that flick, the message is the same; that we must never forget the human cost of war, ...Lonely, dark, sad - Sheenie
This is a slow moving, sad story about army life and delivering the bad news. Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster are convincing in their roles as young and old army veterans assigned to visit soldiers' next of kin to tell them the soldier has died. Samantha Morton ...9 out of 10 - MrMoviePicker
The series of human confrontations in this film are as nerve-wracking and compelling as any pitched war-film battle or bloody firefight.
From the marketing THE MESSENGER looks pretty straightforward: Messengers are assigned to deliver the worst possible ...