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Movies / In Theaters / The Messenger
The Messenger

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The Messenger (2009)

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Reviews Counted:77

Fresh:69

Rotten:8

Average Rating:7.5/10

Consensus: A dark but timely subject is handled deftly by writer/directer Owen Moverman and superbly acted by Woody Harrleson and Ben Foster.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language and some sexual content/nudity

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Nov 13, 2009 Limited

Box Office: $541,782

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,... 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, Foster stars as Will Montgomery, a U.S. Army officer who has just returned home from a tour in Iraq and is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Partnered with fellow officer Tony Stone (Harrelson) to bear the bad news to the loved ones of fallen soldiers, Will faces the challenge of completing his mission while seeking to find comfort and healing back on the home front. When he finds himself drawn to Olivia (Morton), to whom he has just delivered the news of her husband's death, Will’s emotional detachment begins to dissolve and the film reveals itself as a surprising, humorous, moving and very human portrait of grief, friendship and survival.

Featuring tour-de-force performances from Foster, Harrelson and Morton, and a brilliant directorial debut by Moverman, THE MESSENGER brings us into the inner lives of these outwardly steely heroes to reveal their fragility with compassion and dignity. --© Oscilloscope
[More]

Starring: Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone

Starring: Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone, Eamonn Walker, Steve Buscemi

Director: Oren Moverman

Director: Oren Moverman
Screenwriter: Oren Moverman, Alessandro Camon
Producer: Mark Gordon, Lawrence Inglee, Zach Miller
Composer: Nathan Larson
Studio: Oscilloscope Pictures

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Reviews for The Messenger

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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An emotionally affecting drama about the birth of compassion in an Iraq war hero assigned to work for the Casualty Notification Office.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
12/17/09
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

Foster is a revelation, while Harrelson has arguably never been better.

Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | comment Comment
12/16/09
Matt Brunson
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing

Beyond the interesting subjects, Moverman doesn't have a definitive place for his film to go.

Full Review Source: Charlotte Weekly | comment Comment
12/11/09
Sean O'Connell
Sean O'Connell
Charlotte Weekly

It's hard to believe that an actor of Ben Foster's caliber is just now getting a leading role.

Full Review Source: BrandonFibbs.com | comment Comment
12/11/09
Brandon Fibbs
Brandon Fibbs
BrandonFibbs.com

At its center lie three accomplished performances, by Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton, that are not to be missed.

Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
12/10/09
Rex Reed
Rex Reed
New York Observer
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Redbox | comment Comment
12/10/09
James Rocchi
James Rocchi
Redbox

This is a powerful war film that never needs to enter the battlefield for you to be fully absorbed.

Full Review Source: The Scorecard Review | comment Comment
12/08/09
Jeff Bayer
Jeff Bayer
The Scorecard Review

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.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
12/07/09
Louis Proyect
Louis Proyect
rec.arts.movies.reviews

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!

Full Review Source: BDK Reviews | comment Comment
12/06/09
Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy
BDK Reviews

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.

Full Review Source: Richmond.com | comment Comment
12/05/09
Mike Ward
Mike Ward
Richmond.com

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.

Full Review Source: Charlotte Observer | comment Comment
12/04/09
Lawrence Toppman
Lawrence Toppman
Charlotte Observer

Gripping but uneven home front war drama.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
12/04/09
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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.

Full Review Source: Indie Movies Online | comment Comment
12/04/09
Kimberly Gadette
Kimberly Gadette
Indie Movies Online

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.

Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
12/03/09
Mike Russell
Mike Russell
Oregonian

Co-screenwriter/director Oren Moverman slowly peels back the layers to the characters, with the game cast helping considerably in that regard.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
12/03/09
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

...[The Messenger] highlights the gulf between those who have served in Iraq and nearly everyone else they deal with after returning home.

Full Review Source: Playback:stl | comment Comment
12/01/09
Sarah Boslaugh
Sarah Boslaugh
Playback:stl

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.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
11/30/09
Lisa Ann Cockrel
Lisa Ann Cockrel
Christianity Today

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.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
11/27/09
Dan Lybarger
Dan Lybarger
eFilmCritic.com

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.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Spectrum | comment Comment
11/26/09
Keith Cohen
Keith Cohen
Entertainment Spectrum

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.

Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
11/25/09
Tom Long
Tom Long
Detroit News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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