Review of The Messenger (2009) by Rahman S — 14 Aug 2011

What a sobering, harrowing tale of how humanity deals with the haunting realities of war. It is superbly acted, with career best performances from all of Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton, as Foster plays a war veteran who, on his return from Iraq is stationed as a messenger for delivering bad news to families of soldiers.

And while at first you are stunned at the emotional turmoil which these men must go through on having to deliver such bad news, and how they must react to all manner of human reactions, the story really takes on another meaning when Foster meets Morton, the wife of a recently passed soldier.

How the two struggle with their feelings as they are obviously attracted to one another but with a sense of duty and respect try to keep their relationship on a level which does not suggest preying on the weak.

And with Harrelson you see how years of performing such duties have built up layer upon layer of a shell, covering his emotions with a thick skin despite such a traumatic role he has in so many peoples lives.

The story is incredibly moving, drawing you into each life of the characters without ever crossing over into sentimentality or melodrama. It is powerful, intelligently written with a sharp and harrowing stab to your heart.

As you learn to understand each characters motives and actions, you feel for them all the more, and sympathise with the reality that life after combat can never be the same for all parties involved. A truly human story, and one which continued to surprise me throughout.