Review of The Messenger (2009) by Leighton T — 05 Jul 2010

The unsentimental, the unpolitical - these produce some of the best war films. Along with the very different The Hurt Locker last year, The Messenger proves that the "Iraq War Film" can be made very well. This is a character study on the front lines of home where The Hurt Locker was more of an adrenaline action epic set in the Middle East. Both hit their marks very well, but while The Hurt Locker is almost traditional in how it tells its story, here we get the perspective of the officers who have to deliver the most devastating news. Its honest human drama is wrenchingly beautiful.

Performances across the board, from Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton, down to Steve Buscemi and Jena Malone, are perfect. Not one note from them or the great script from Oren Moverman and Alessandro Camon ring false. The film flows very well, is so cohesive, but there are standout scenes such as Foster's and Morton's characters wanting to kiss in the kitchen (both actors show their characters to be completely transparent within this scene and it is remarkable to watch) and Montgomery's monologue of his battle experience at the end of the film. As well, the cinematography struck me, especially in those isolated scenes where that news had to be delivered: the lensing is documentary-like, home video-like and takes us achingly close to this experience. It is like we can almost supplement ourselves into the scenes and it is painful.

Very few films from last year grabbed me like this one did.