Review of The Messenger (2009) by Tim M — 21 May 2010

What makes The Messenger such a superb film is that it is able to show a side of the war before that hasn't been seen before. Like The Hurt Locker, the movie is affected greatly by the war in Iraq, but there aren't any shootouts or major battle scenes. I love how recently there have been films such as these, because they are so powerful in revealing the effect on life outside of the war.

The plot is simple but it hasn't been done before so that was a huge advantage that the filmmakers had when making The Messenger. The whole idea of having to be the bearer of bad news, very bad news, for a living is an awful experience to have to deal with day in and day out, but it worked so well on film.

Ben Foster is perfect performance wise. This is the best film that he has ever been in. He is so natural in this movie that it's unbelievable. Everything he does in the movie is so interesting, even when he does nothing. He has that presence on screen that most actors don't, and it appears as if he doesn't even have to try very hard to do so.

Woody Harrelson was perfectly casted as the guy who shows Foster the ropes of notifying the N.O.K. (Next of Kin). It's no wonder that he was nominated for best supporting actor. The character was so well written. He was written to balance out Foster's character as the tough Captain Tony Stone whom the war had a great effect on as well.

The Messenger is definitely one of the best war films made, and certainly is one of the best of 2009. Let's hope that we all hear the message this time.