"The Messenger" is one Oscar-nominated film you don't want to miss. It's unsettling, compelling and important.
The film tells the stories of Captain Tony Stone (Oscar actor nominated Woody Harrelson) and Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery (an excellent Ben Foster, "X Men: The Last Stand," "Alpha Dog," "3:10 to Yuma," TV's "Six Feet Under").
Stone and Montgomery deliver the news from the Army Casualty Notification Office about the deaths of sons or daughters serving as soldiers in the Iraq War to the next of kin of some seven families.
At first, Stone and Montgomery clash. Gradually, they bond.
Harrelson is superb as a by-the-book officer.
Samantha Morton is graceful as a widow. Steve Buscemi is explosive as a father. Jena Malone plays Montgomery's ex-girlfriend.
The movie-goer is given a glimpse into what is perhaps a little-known aspect of the military from perspectives not often, if ever, depicted in detail and with such emotions.
The unassuming, nonjudgmental and insightful screenplay by the film's first-time director Oren Moverman (screenwriter, "Married Life," and the Bob Dylan biopic, "I'm Not Here") and Alessandro Camon (executive producer, "Thank You For Smoking," "The Cooler") is nominated for an original screenplay Oscar.
Don't shoot "The Messenger." Do see it.
"The Messenger": MPAA Rated R (Restricted. Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent Or Adult Guar