"Bullets fly; soldiers die"

Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster powerfully depict the shattering aftermath of war games damage in a crushingly honest way.

"I'd like to strap her on and wear her like a government-issued gas mask."

Damn Woody Harrelson. Ben Foster certainly has come a long way since "Flash Forward" (1996).

Despite the depressing premise, The Messenger is entertaining thanks to Woody Harrelson's powerful and sometimes funny performance. Ben Foster's first lead role puts him besides Ryan Gosling as another great, serious young actor. The movie shows the... (read more) Despite the depressing premise, The Messenger is entertaining thanks to Woody Harrelson's powerful and sometimes funny performance. Ben Foster's first lead role puts him besides Ryan Gosling as another great, serious young actor. The movie shows the tough job of being the "angels of death", as well as different heart-wrenching reactions from the NOK (next of kin). Oscar buzz: Woody as supporting actor, always terrific Samantha Morton as supporting actress.

This one was really good, mainly because it tells a very sensitive side of military life that doesn't get much play time.

Woody Harrelson & Ben Foster give 2 great performances in The Messenger. Telling a story we have not seen before, you get a sense of how the families and the men who have to tell them feel about hearing their loved one has died in war. The film tak... (read more) Woody Harrelson & Ben Foster give 2 great performances in The Messenger. Telling a story we have not seen before, you get a sense of how the families and the men who have to tell them feel about hearing their loved one has died in war. The film takes no position on being pro or anti war; it just tells the story. The 1st half of the film is excellent, but unfortunately the script starts to wonder & it becomes obvious that the write was not sure how to end the film. There a few scenes that do not quite work. There may have been other scenes that did not make the final cut that would have cleared up some inconsistencies. All in all it is a moving film that is worth seeing.

More of a character study than a straightforward narrative, anchored by the ever impressive Ben Foster (who's got great work ahead of him). Supporting players Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton are also excellent, and there is always something inte... (read more) More of a character study than a straightforward narrative, anchored by the ever impressive Ben Foster (who's got great work ahead of him). Supporting players Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton are also excellent, and there is always something interesting happening, whether it's the actual scenes of family notification, or the interactions of the characters outside of their grisly job.

A well-made, vivdly acted film from new director Oren Moverman.The performances of Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson gives us powerful and moving performances with some humor mixed in between.Also a good standout performance by Steve Bruscemi.However i ... (read more) A well-made, vivdly acted film from new director Oren Moverman.The performances of Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson gives us powerful and moving performances with some humor mixed in between.Also a good standout performance by Steve Bruscemi.However i didnt feel much chemistry from the foster and the morton character.But the performances make up for that.I think Harrelson should get nominated for best supporting actor at the oscars for his role.