The Messenger
The Messenger stars Ben Foster as Saff Sergeant Will Montgomery, a Purple Heart war hero stateside and almost recovered from his wounds. With only a few months left on his contract he’s assigned the duty of informing the next of kin about recent casualties overseas. His C.O. in this less than desirable assignment is the swaggering Captain Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson in his best effort yet that understandably has earned him an Oscar nomination). Through their almost daily missions we see the casualty count extrapolate on the home front as lives are instantly altered with the relaying of their news. As the two unlikely friends become close we discover that there are inner demons at play with both men and in Will’s case that includes Kelly (Jena Malone) the one that got away but never left. His life takes on some balance when he starts a relationship (despite the taboo nature of it expressed by Tony) with Olivia Pitterson (Samantha Morton) one of the bereaved with whom they recently met. With an academy award nomination for best screenplay The Messenger is yet another in a growing list of films that delve into the worst of current conflicts that the USA is embroiled in yet pays homage to front line soldiers at risk. This one may be the best of the bunch.