The Messenger (2009)
The movie follows an Iraq War veteran who just narrowly escaped death in combat struggles with his new post at the Casualty Notification Office while he becomes involved with a widow of a fallen officer.
16 September 1956, Chicago, Illinois, USA
30 October 1981, Woodstock, New York, USA
12 June 1962, London, England, UK
21 February 1970, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
15 November 1982, Harlem, New York City, New York, USA
April 12, 2016
It is relentlessly bleak, even in its lighter moments. The downbeat tone is wearying. These days, we just need some hope.
July 30, 2012
I know several folks in military service who wouldn't watch this movie if you paid them.
February 26, 2010
The film is premised on the verbal communication of urgent information, yet its many non-verbal moments provide the greatest strength and clarity.
July 14, 2011
It never feels contrived or overwritten, managing to deftly pack emotional punches through the strength of its performances and direction.
January 14, 2010
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.
February 26, 2010
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.
December 10, 2009
At its center lie three accomplished performances, by Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton, that are not to be missed.
January 27, 2010
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.
October 20, 2014
[Foster and Harrelson's] interplay, on the job (ruining the day of one unfortunate person after the next) and off...provides the backbone of this erratically paced film.
June 15, 2011
[An] unpredictable, episodic, deeply resonant character piece.
July 22, 2011
Alejado de cualquier rastro de patriotismo, desnudando la complejidad emocional detrás de un drama históricamente recurrente que ha sido retratado con frecuencia por el cine norteamericano, aunque esta vez de manera un poco más intimista.
