Another dark, gloomy drama about home life during wartime, this film features some seriously great performances and a theme that will resonate powerfully with thoughtful audiences.
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10/08/09
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The Messenger (2009)
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Reviews Counted:75
Fresh:67
Rotten:8
Average Rating:7.4/10
Consensus: A dark but timely subject is handled deftly by writer/directer Owen Moverman and superbly acted by Woody Harrleson and Ben Foster.
Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Co-written by Oren Moverman and Alessandro Camon, THE MESSENGER is a powerful and tender story about a returned war hero making his first steps toward a normal life. In his first leading role,... [More]
Starring: Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone
Director: Oren Moverman
Reviews for The Messenger
Beyond the interesting subjects, Moverman doesn't have a definitive place for his film to go.
12/11/09
It's hard to believe that an actor of Ben Foster's caliber is just now getting a leading role.
12/11/09
At its center lie three accomplished performances, by Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton, that are not to be missed.
12/10/09
Yes, you're going to have to look for The Messenger. But the fact it's one of the best American films of 2009 makes that search worthwhile.
12/10/09
This is a powerful war film that never needs to enter the battlefield for you to be fully absorbed.
12/08/09
Like "The Hurt Locker", calculated to sell tickets to tea-baggers and Moveon.org alike. Informed by the Clint Eastwood/Paul Haggis school of bad didactic screenwriting.
12/07/09
This is the type of original film that should be pulling in the box office numbers. Harrelson and Foster deliver completely natural and raw performances. See this movie now!
12/06/09
I used to think working at the Salt Lake City Hooters was the worst job in the world. Boy was I wrong. That dubious occupational honor goes to working for the Army's Casualty Notification Service.
12/05/09
The best war movies don't preach against war: They remind us of the costs for soldiers and families and ask us to consider whether those costs are worth paying.
12/04/09
Gripping but uneven home front war drama.
12/04/09
The miracle of this film is in its insistence on finding a way back home -- to fragile new beginnings giving way to new friendship, perhaps even new love.
12/04/09
Harrelson gives what might be a career performance as a jaded mentor who tries to conduct each notification using a well-rehearsed set of rules of engagement.
12/03/09
Co-screenwriter/director Oren Moverman slowly peels back the layers to the characters, with the game cast helping considerably in that regard.
12/03/09
...[The Messenger] highlights the gulf between those who have served in Iraq and nearly everyone else they deal with after returning home.
12/01/09
The Messenger involves difficult subject matter, but it's not hard to watch. It's sad and sobering, but also humorous and touching at turns.
11/30/09
Because of the nature of its subject matter, 'The Messenger' is emotionally charged, but director Oren Moverman and his able cast prevent it from feeling phony or manipulative.
11/27/09
Foster and Harrelson have a winning camaraderie as they develop a bond of trust and friendship. Both performances are memorable and deserve year-end awards consideration.
11/26/09
The beauty in Foster's portrayal is that it never completely explodes, but anger and aching seethe behind his eyes. Harrelson, meanwhile, is a good old boy with a bad old job.
11/25/09
Whenever writer-director Oren Moverman moves past these scattered and admittedly voyeuristic moments into the lives of the two soldiers, the movie drifts into received wisdom and unconvincing romance.
11/25/09
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