80.750

So bungled up with fashionable ambivalence about the Iraq War that every single behavioral detail is not just prejudicial but wrong.

Superbly written and the true highlight here is the striking performance by Woody Harrelson who gives his all in this genuine tale of solace. Wasn't so keen on the romantic sub plot. Fun fact: They're getting staff to do the reviews in the Blockbuster magazine and I was assigned this one. Huzzah.

Initially confronting but the 2nd half and particularly the ending leaves a lot to be desired. They built up so much and let it fade away.

Between this, Hurt Locker, and Generation Kill, film in 2009 has really done an amazing job of presenting the complexities of our current war situations.

Not an easy film to watch, but the acting performances are truly first rate. I can't recall having ever seen Harrelson quite this good in any film before.

"These largely self-contained vignettes are harrowing, the source of a font of raw emotional release that could never be otherwise captured except through a presumably invasive documentary process." - Ryan Stewart

A strong movie. Thus, a bit hard to watch at times actually. It's well done.

This is a well made and acted movie. Both Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster give excellent performances in this film. The script is good, the characters are believable.

Excellent drama that movingly portrays and contrasts different versions of the grieving process to quite stunning effect. Both Foster and Harrelson give award-calibre performances, and they are surrounded by a cast who provide great cameos, especially Buscemi as a grief stricken father; his scenes are almost unbearably wrenching. Screenplay is also exceptional, mixing intense drama with unexpected gallows humour. A quiet, reflective drama which grows with consideration and contemplation.

Strong, charracter-driven melodrama with some great acting. Although I enjoy Harrelson doing comic roles, I wish I saw more of him in serious films. Story is good, except for a weak romance subplot, which dragged film a bit down in my eyes. Also, a word of warning: _The Messenger_ must have highest heart-breaking scenes per minute ratio is recent film history.

Truly one of the hardest films you can possibly watch in terms of subject matter. The cast here is absolutely superb, even the actors for the bit parts are completely and utterly stellar. The job of informing families that their loved ones have died in the course of duty must be one of the toughest jobs on the planet and this film captures it completely. Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson manage to portray the tension and odd friendship of their relationship perfectly. Essential viewing in my book.

Has its moments of greatness but falls a little flat in the plot department. But this is nevertheless an interesting, often moving, and well-acted soldier drama. A commendable effort by first-time director Oren Moverman.

Impeccable acting in this thought-provoking film debut by Moverman.

Ben Foster is great in every movie he takes part in and this one i no exception.. The movie was good too, good pacing and direction. The only problems were the zoom in/outs during the long takes which just made me want to cry, but still, the performances saved the day.

Great film and directorial debut. Samantha Morton is absolutely stunning as the confused Olivia.

The entire cast shines in yet another anti-war film this year that actually works. Following in the footsteps of 'The Hurt Locker,' "The Messenger" is a heartbreaking war film that tells of the other side of the coin--the men telling the families of their fallen loved ones. While sometimes a bit melodramatic, "The Messenger" is more often than not a touching and authentic film from beginning to end. I'm happy to see Woody Harrelson score an Oscar nomination for his work here.

Excellent war drama that shows not soldiers falling in battle but the reactions of next of kin back home. Grief is rightly portrayed as unbearable and not romanticized like in Departures. First-time director Moverman obviously came from writing; it is script-oriented and his writing is ace, but it's also very well shot and played. From the leads to minor roles of grief-stricken "NoK"s, acting is formidable. For better or worse the acting stretches the drama against a subtle and restrained text.

Interesting story carried by the sublime performances of Foster and Harrelson. Manages to stay out of the over-the-top melodrama section.

Very Good. This not a war movie but shows the collateral damage on the home front in the US's independence crusade. The film treads a thin line successfully showing the damage and pain without being preachy or melodramatic. Ben Foster seems to improve with every film and Woody Harrelson's at the top of his game here, excellent performances, great story, pace and direction. Highly recommended.

Unique and passionate. Harrelson is brilliant.

The true strengths of this film lie in the emotionally wrenching and well-directed scenes of bad news delivery. Ben Foster and especially Woody Harrelson both shine in their roles. However, the film is a bit bogged down by the unfocused and undeveloped romance between two unlikely people. The cinematography, while definitely going for realism, is actually pretty shoddy.