An American soldier struggles with an ethical dilemma when he becomes involved with a widow of a fallen officer.
The Scoop
In his most powerful performance to date, Ben 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 (Woody 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 (Samantha 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.
Why you care
You are wanting to see a relevant drama, with a touch of warmth.
Release Date
November 13th 2009
Starring
Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone
The Good
Won awards at the Berlin Film Festival, and Deauville Film Festival.
The Bad
I don’t know where Deauville is.
Our Clever Prediction
This is a limited release. The Messenger will thrive on DVD rentals, but will flop at the Box Office.
Tags: Ben Foster, Drama 2009, Jena Malone, November 2009, Samantha Morton, Woody Harrelson