Fresh
[An] unpredictable, episodic, deeply resonant character piece.
Tom Huddleston, Time Out
The Messenger
The Scars of War Will Last Forever.
2009 · 1h 53m · R
Drama, Romance
Directed by
Oren Moverman
Overview
Will Montgomery, a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who has returned home from Iraq, is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Montgomery is partnered with Captain Tony Stone, to give notice to the families of fallen soldiers. The Sergeant is drawn to Olivia Pitterson, to whom he has delivered news of her husband’s death.
Director and cast
- Oren Moverman Director
- Ben Foster as Will Montgomery
- Woody Harrelson as Tony Stone
- Jena Malone as Kelly
- Eamonn Walker as Stuart Dorsett
- Samantha Morton as Olivia Pitterson
- Steve Buscemi as Dale Martin
- Dale Soules as Cashier
- Stevie Ray Dallimore as Kelly's Father
- Michael Chernus as Alan
- Marceline Hugot as Mrs. Flanigan
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
89%
Tomatometer
Fresh
The bombshell is the news of a soldier's death and the delivery of that message is the heart of this unsentimental, yet deeply moving, story.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Fresh
The film is premised on the verbal communication of urgent information, yet its many non-verbal moments provide the greatest strength and clarity.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Fresh
Harrelson gives us layers of hurt under a callous yet needy crust. It may be the best performance of his career and certainly deserves Oscar consideration.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Fresh
With the insight and sensitivity of an insider, The Messenger illuminates the sometimes invisible victims of war -- the survivors -- and a pain that is tolerated but never quite healed.
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
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