The movie is long. It repeats too much. To see how it affects the character, you do not need to see it so many times.
It is a film that if it were shorter would win many points.
The actors are very good, but Harrelson is a very good actor, that is not discovering anything new.
At least, do not waste time in sex, that's to be grateful. It does well. No need to see what to know what will happen.
Photography does not help much. It is not a pretty photograph. It is austere without more.
The director, directs characters, but does not see that there is a film left. The plans are basic. It does not place the camera well. He does not know how to narrate with her. It does not bore but it stagnates.
It lets itself be seen.
The Messenger
2009
Action / Drama / Romance / War
The Messenger
2009
Action / Drama / Romance / War
89% - Critics
75% - Audience
7.1
Synopsis
While on a recent deployment to Iraq, US Army Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery is injured when an improvised explosive device goes off within close proximity to him. He is back in the States recovering from the more serious of those injuries, including one to his eye and leg. He has resumed a sexual relationship with his long time girlfriend Kelly, despite the fact that she is now engaged to another man who Will knows. With the few months Will has left in his enlistment, the army assigns him to the Casualty Notification Team in his area. Not having a background in counseling, psychology or grief management, he is unsure if he is well suited to this job. He is partnered with a career soldier, Captain Tony Stone, who teaches Will the precise protocol involved in the job. Tony tells Will, who quickly learns by on the job experience, that this job has its own dangers. As Will learns to adapt to the range of emotions of the next of kin, he is unprepared for the reaction of Olivia Pitterson, ...
Uploaded By: OTTO
June 13, 2012 at 01:42 PM
Director
Cast
Jena Malone as Kelly
Woody Harrelson as Captain Tony Stone
Merritt Wever as Lara
Ben Foster as Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery
Movie Reviews
Reviewed by
If it were shorter it would be better
Reviewed by
Good, but could have been brilliant
Good, but could have been mind-blowingly great. The movie was set up perfectly in the first two-thirds or so, but failed to make a profound point. The final third isn't a waste, having some very poignant and sensitive moments, but it was set up for something massively insightful.
Quite original plot and sensitive, flowing Clint Eastwood-like direction. Superb performances from Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson. Harrelson deserved his Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. Solid support from Samantha Morton and a good minor performance from Steve Buscemi.
Reviewed by
Serious and thoughtful, if depressing
What an extremely depressing movie, start to finish. Just so you know. Now, having said that, there is nothing really wrong with that. There is definitely a place for sad movies. With all of the (well-deserved) criticism of Hollywood for putting out cookie-cutter films, this is not one of them. It is serious and thoughtful. I've never been much of a fan of Woody Harrelson, what with his weird roles in such things as "Cheers" and "Natural Born Killers", and his loopy politics and hit man father, but he really brought some acting chops into this role. Samantha Morton played her role as an awkward widowed mom very well. And Lisa Joyce was nice in a small part. But I don't know if I can recommend this one.
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