Review of The Messenger (2009) by Aaron N — 09 Jun 2010

Capt. Tony: Avoid physical contact. In case you feel like offering a hug or something, don't.

Staff Sgt. Will: I'm not going to be offering any hugs. Sir.

Some strong performances in a pretty strong character drama. The film could certainly push its way into tearjerker territory, but it manages not to and is all the better for it.

Ben Foster stars as Will, home from Iraq after sustaining an injury, with three months left of duty. He is assigned to the Army's Casualty Notification service under Capt. Tony Stone, played by Woody Harrelson. Will and Tony's job involves breaking the news of deceased soldiers to their next of kin.

Besides the ethical toll this takes on Will, he must also deal with the loss of his former girlfriend Kelly, who is getting married to another, the stress he is suffering after having come back from Iraq, and also dealing with Tony and the rules he must follow for the job.

The scenes of these men doing their job can be tough to watch, or at least certainly bring the mood in a room way down; however, they are still very effective. But as I have mentioned, the film doesn't linger too much in this territory to feel manipulative. Instead, it's almost a buddy film, with some romantic drama thrown in, as Will and Tony bond, and Will also finds time to develop a relationship with one of the next of kin, Olivia, played by Samantha Morton.

The performances are all very good. Foster continues to be one of the strongest young actors I enjoy seeing on screen. Morton does fine work as well. Steve Buscemi also manages to come in for a very strong, but small portion of the film. Really, the film belongs to Harrelson, who is perfect in his part.

Very well made film, with a dramatic but interesting premise.

Staff Sgt. Will: We walk into these people's lives and we don't know anything.

Capt. Tony: You don't want to know.