Mood-O-Meter: 100% (for importance)Will Montgomery (Ben Foster), a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who has returned from Iraq, is assigned to the Army Casualty Notification service. Montgomery is partnered with Captain Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson), to give notice to the families of fallen soldiers. The sergeants is drawn to Olivia Pitterson (Samantha Morton), to whom he delivered the news of her husband's death.
I am not going to sugar-coat my opinion for this film, I consider this film one of the most vital films of the decade. This is indeed a war film, but instead of explosions and killing, The Messenger reveals the war outside of the fighting. One of the most shameful truths about war is that when some young kid dies fighting for his country the only people that truly suffer are their families. Yes, there is sadness, grieving, and ever funeral ceremonies, but that all passes in time. It is the family that will suffer and grieve for the rest of their lives. We watch war films and just wait for the action, the killing. What we all forget is that everyone of those young men and women that die have a family that just lost a member, and they even have a story. Their stories may not be film worthy, but they are damn sure important.
I honestly could not find any major flaws in this film, not one. Each scene, character, and conversation is filled with emotion and meaning. The Messenger will not "wow" audiences, the only people that will give this film the credit it deserves are people that understand what the characters in this film are dealing with. I can't even fully give this film the credit it deserves, but I sure can try. The Iraq War has had a lasting effect on our country, and it isn't even over yet. Families that lose members from being killed in this war are faced with confusion and questions that won't be answered. Why did my son/daughter die? What was the purpose? Was it really worth it? Etc.
The acting in The Messenger is amazing, sensational, outstanding, great, moving, masterful, any other words you find fit. Ben Foster as Will Montgomery is one of the strongest leading performances of the last few years, and yes he did deserve an Oscar nomination. He plays a soldier who is in the last months of his tour, and he is assigned to the Army Casualty Notification service. He quickly learns how important his job is. This is Woody Harrelson's greatest performance of his career. He received an Oscar nomination, but shamefully lost to Christopher Waltz (Inglourious Basterds). Harrelson plays Tony Stone, a captain who has a lot of experience in casualty notification. Tony Stone has spent the majority of his life in the Army and served during Desert Storm. He lives a very lonely life, spending his life in the Army has taken its toll, but fears the "normal" life. Both Montgomery and Stone are trying to come to terms with their exploits while serving, while also struggling to survive back home. Samantha Morton plays Olivia Pitterson, a housewife who's husband is killed in Iraq. Montgomery becomes drawn to her, and does all in his power to make life easier for her. There are not many vital characters in The Messenger, but each of the main performances are brutally emotional.
The Messenger is a dark film with very few light moments. A brutally honest film, and it has honesty that needs to be revealed. Oren Moverman tackles very touching subjects, and does a wonderful job. This film will spark many passionate arguments and raise many touchy questions. The Messenger shows what other war films were either too afraid or not capable pf showing. It shows what soldiers are faced with after the fighting, after the killing. When they are back home and when their tortured minds are free to ponder. One of the most urgent problems our country is faced with, is the endless problems are faced with once they return home. Also what The Messenger achieves it showing us, is the "sacred" duty of casualty notification. The duty that has been around since the very first wars. This film is an absolute achievement, a film that any American should watch. Whether you are for or against this war, or any war The Messenger will move you and force you to truly think. I can not say what you will think or wonder about, but you will.
Box Office: 1.5 million
Budget: 6.5 million
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