Life for Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) and Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson) is not pretty. They have the unenviable job of being a part of the Army's Casualty Notification Service. In other words, they have to tell the soldier's next of kin that their loved one has died. As one can imagine, this is not an easy task to perform, and it isn't any easier for us to watch.
This is a wonderful film, but the first half hour or so is like Independent Film-making 101. It shows what they do in an understated way to add a gritty sense of realism, and then afterwards the characters spout their philosophies of life and what not over drinks (well, at least Will does. Tony's been in AA for three years). This part is well-acted, so it's somewhat effective. But if you've seen a lot of Oscar bait films over the past few years, it seems a little redundant.
Fortunately, the film takes off about at half hour in, when Olivia Patterson enters the picture. She's played by the always exceptional Samantha Morton, so if anything, this should be a great time to have the film take off in a new direction. Olivia may not be a central character, but her character leads to some interesting developments, and co-writer/director Oren Movermen takes advantage of the opportunity.
The performances in this film are nothing short of amazing. Ben Foster is probably one of the most versatile young actors out there these days. It's a shame that movies are filled with teen idols with no talent (i.e. Robert Pattinson, or any hunky actor aimed at the "Twilight" crowd) are brought to the big time, while guys who actually CAN act, like Foster, are left to struggle. Granted, actual "actors" probably have the good sense to stay away from crap like "Twilight," but you get my point. Whatever the reason, Ben Foster is incredible. He's a nice guy, a little softspoken, but we can feel his pain about the emotionally painful job that he has to do. Likewise, Woody Harrelson is exceptional as Tony. Harrelson is known for his off-the-wall comedy appearances that would be at home in a Farrelly Brothers movie (he starred in their film, "Kingpin"), but he gives his best performance to date as Stone. He's a tough as nails, by the book kind of soldier, but he's also very vulnerable, particularly because of his alcoholism, and probably because the job he has affects him more than he would ever admit, and he's touched by Will's humanity. Samantha Morton is fine in a supporting role, but this film is more about Will and Tony than anything, and her romance is not especially important anyway.
Oren Moverman adopts a low-key but emotionally attuned tone for his film, and I was reminded of another Iraq war film, "In the Valley of Elah." However, this film works because it solves the problem that Paul Haggis' film had. We feel for and understand Will and Tony in a way that we didn't for Hank Deerfield.
As one might imagine, this is not a happy film, and some scenes are particularly hard to watch. But for those who like good cinema and outstanding performances, "The Messenger" is not to be missed.
This is a wonderful film, but the first half hour or so is like Independent Film-making 101. It shows what they do in an understated way to add a gritty sense of realism, and then afterwards the characters spout their philosophies of life and what not over drinks (well, at least Will does. Tony's been in AA for three years). This part is well-acted, so it's somewhat effective. But if you've seen a lot of Oscar bait films over the past few years, it seems a little redundant.
Fortunately, the film takes off about at half hour in, when Olivia Patterson enters the picture. She's played by the always exceptional Samantha Morton, so if anything, this should be a great time to have the film take off in a new direction. Olivia may not be a central character, but her character leads to some interesting developments, and co-writer/director Oren Movermen takes advantage of the opportunity.
The performances in this film are nothing short of amazing. Ben Foster is probably one of the most versatile young actors out there these days. It's a shame that movies are filled with teen idols with no talent (i.e. Robert Pattinson, or any hunky actor aimed at the "Twilight" crowd) are brought to the big time, while guys who actually CAN act, like Foster, are left to struggle. Granted, actual "actors" probably have the good sense to stay away from crap like "Twilight," but you get my point. Whatever the reason, Ben Foster is incredible. He's a nice guy, a little softspoken, but we can feel his pain about the emotionally painful job that he has to do. Likewise, Woody Harrelson is exceptional as Tony. Harrelson is known for his off-the-wall comedy appearances that would be at home in a Farrelly Brothers movie (he starred in their film, "Kingpin"), but he gives his best performance to date as Stone. He's a tough as nails, by the book kind of soldier, but he's also very vulnerable, particularly because of his alcoholism, and probably because the job he has affects him more than he would ever admit, and he's touched by Will's humanity. Samantha Morton is fine in a supporting role, but this film is more about Will and Tony than anything, and her romance is not especially important anyway.
Oren Moverman adopts a low-key but emotionally attuned tone for his film, and I was reminded of another Iraq war film, "In the Valley of Elah." However, this film works because it solves the problem that Paul Haggis' film had. We feel for and understand Will and Tony in a way that we didn't for Hank Deerfield.
As one might imagine, this is not a happy film, and some scenes are particularly hard to watch. But for those who like good cinema and outstanding performances, "The Messenger" is not to be missed.