{"id":1081,"date":"2011-08-09T09:45:24","date_gmt":"2011-08-09T09:45:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/?p=1081"},"modified":"2011-08-09T09:50:39","modified_gmt":"2011-08-09T09:50:39","slug":"the-messenger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/action\/the-messenger\/","title":{"rendered":"The Messenger ****"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Without sounding like Trainspotting<\/em><\/a>\u2019s Renton, writer\/director Oren Moverman<\/a> and co-writer Alessandro Camon<\/a>\u2019s poignant new drama, The Messenger<\/em><\/a>, is about \u2018choosing life\u2019. But it\u2019s not enough to simply be alive; you need to have a purpose, too \u2013 something anyone can relate to. The unique situation dealt with in the much delayed film \u2013 originally completed in 2099 \u2013 about two military officers (played by Ben Foster<\/a> and Woody Harrelson<\/a>) tasked with telling loved ones about a fallen soldier is thankfully not an environment most have to encounter. That said if, like this author, you are a Forces\u2019 NoK (Next of Kin), the full impact of the story hits home like a cold, sobering shock.<\/p>\n

Given the task of notifying loved ones of those killed in action, decorated and injured \u2018war hero\u2019 Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery (Foster) is less than pleased with his new peace-time assignment, and even less so to be on call, 24\/7, with brash and unpredictable Captain Tony Stone (Harrelson), who seems to have given up the ghost on life and any expectations in his career. The two form an unlikely bond during the course of their generally thankless duty, where they are often abused by relatives, a bond which is threatened when the Staff Sergeant grows fond of a widow, Olivia (Samantha Morton<\/a>), who the pair recently informed of her husband\u2019s death \u2013 and leading to Montgomery breaking a rule of not getting involved. As the only two who can fully understand the daily stress of their duty, Montgomery and Stone gain strength from each other.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s clear to see why The Messenger<\/em> attracted nominations at this year\u2019s Oscars, with Harrelson up for Best Supporting Actor, but sadly, losing out to Bale<\/a> for The Fighter<\/em><\/a>. The outstanding casting of Harrelson alongside Foster gives a lesson in subtle acting genius. Theirs is a powerhouse performance full of tragic comic undertones while looking at the psychological effects of war in an original storytelling manner of an unlikely and sentimental \u2018bromance\u2019. Admittedly, the testosterone-fuelled bitterness kicks in at rebellious moments, but the rest of the treatment is respectful and deeply moving, showing different sides to the usual military film affair.<\/p>\n

The admiration for Foster’s work grows with every role he adopts, and it\u2019s a shame this film wasn\u2019t released earlier than 2011 to acknowledge his talent in the industry\u2019s awards. Foster portrays mentally-tortured Montgomery with as much affection and zest for life as the part permits, never allowing him to become a post-combat casualty like his colleague and friend, Stone, but constantly searching for inspiration. In a sense, though grave in subject matter, his journey is wonderfully enlightening and hope-filled, allowing both men an ounce of redemption for any \u2018sins\u2019 they feel they have inflicted, and for both actors to inject some humour into their situation.<\/p>\n

The weakest link, if there was one to gripe about it, seems to be the casting of talented actress Morton \u2013 herself from a military background \u2013 as Army widow Olivia. Morton fails to fully translate the plethora of emotions Olivia would be dealing with to get to the point where she is ready to stand on her own two feet. That\u2019s not to say Morton is not compelling at times, such as her unspoken chemistry in intimate moments with Foster in the film that are scintillating to witness. But Olivia feels lacking in development, and too quick to heal, rather than coming across as the sensitive type Moverman and Camo probably planned to convey. She seems quietly calculating, but with a sweet exterior, therefore, our empathy with her sad situation is less than it should be, and Morton\u2019s efforts appear somewhat in vain. Admittedly, Captain Stone snidely mentions Olivia\u2019s remarkable recovery so soon after her husband\u2019s death, so misconstruing her actions is intentional in the script \u2013 just not satisfactorily explored.<\/p>\n

Like their characters that ironically achieve a sense of pride and contribution through a begrudging purpose of national duty, Foster and Harrelson should also feel a sense of great achievement in making The Messenger<\/em><\/a><\/em> \u2013 as should Moverman who has a flare for directing that needs further encouraged. Let\u2019s hope his latest project, Rampart<\/em><\/a>, that stars both actors once more, and is about another person in service trying to make his mark, lives up to even greater expectations.<\/p>\n

4\/5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n

By @FilmGazer<\/p>\n

(Follow on Twitter<\/a>)<\/p>\n

WATCH THE UK TRAILER HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Without sounding like Trainspotting\u2019s Renton, writer\/director Oren Moverman and co-writer Alessandro Camon\u2019s poignant new drama, The Messenger, is about \u2018choosing life\u2019. But it\u2019s not enough to simply be alive; you need to have a purpose, too \u2013 something anyone can relate to. The unique situation dealt with in the much delayed film \u2013 originally completed … <\/p>\n

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