The Messenger (2009)
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A pair of U.S. Army casualty notification officers navigate the profound emotional toll of their work and their own personal lives.
The story
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery, a combat veteran dealing with PTSD and a chronic eye condition, is on leave from the Iraq War. Before his discharge, he is assigned as a casualty notification officer alongside his mentor, Captain Tony Stone, a Gulf War veteran. Together, they are tasked with the grueling responsibility of informing families of the deaths of their loved ones. As they navigate the strict protocols of their roles—which forbid physical contact or informal language—they must confront the raw grief of the families they meet while simultaneously grappling with their own internal struggles, past traumas, and complicated personal relationships.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery, a combat veteran with PTSD and a chronic eye injury, is assigned as a casualty notification officer alongside his mentor, Captain Tony Stone. While following strict protocols to avoid physical contact or informal language with grieving families, they encounter various reactions, from anger to silent shock. During their duties, Will meets Olivia, a woman who seems to be in less visible pain after her husband's death. Will eventually offers her a ride and becomes friendly with her and her son, Matt. Despite his own personal struggles—including a rejected marriage proposal from his sweetheart Kelly—Will finds himself drawn to Olivia. After a series of emotional events, including a confrontation with Stone over breaking protocol to comfort a family, the two men reconcile and spend time together at a lakeside cabin. They eventually end up at Kelly's wedding, causing a disturbance. Later, Will opens up to Tony about the trauma of his injury and his feelings of meaninglessness, causing Tony to break down. In the end, Will meets Olivia as she prepares to move to Louisiana; he considers staying in the Army and they exchange contact information.
- First release year
- 2009
- Runtime (minutes)
- 113
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Oren Moverman
- Writers
- Alessandro Camon · writer; Oren Moverman · writer
- Cast and characters
- Ben Foster · Will Montgomery; Woody Harrelson · Tony Stone; Samantha Morton · Olivia; Steve Buscemi; Jena Malone
- Genres
- war; independent; romantic drama; buddy drama
- Themes
- Grief; PTSD; Friendship; Human cost of war; Solace
- Tone and mood
- Dark; Gentle; Timely; Subtle
- Premise and plot tags
- Buddy Drama; War Drama; Independent Film; Romantic Drama
- Reception
- The film received generally favorable reviews, being described as a gentle portrait of grief and friendship. It was praised for its performances, particularly those of Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson, and was noted for its nuanced handling of a dark subject.
- Awards and nominations
- Silver Bear · Best Screenplay · 2009 · win; First Prize · Deauville American Film Festival · 2009 · win; Independent Spirit Award · nomination · 2009 · nomination; Independent Spirit Award · win · 2009 · win; Golden Globe · nomination · 2009 · nomination; Oscar · nomination · 2009 · nomination
- Production trivia
- The scene of Will and Olivia in the kitchen was filmed in a single take.; The filmmakers worked closely with the United States Army and the Walter Reed Medical Center to conduct research.; Directors who expressed interest in the project included Sydney Pollack, Roger Michell, and Ben Affleck.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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