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Synopsis

While on a recent deployment to Iraq, US Army Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery is injured when an improvised explosive device goes off within close proximity to him. He is back in the States recovering from the more serious of those injuries, including one to his eye and leg. He has resumed a sexual relationship with his long time girlfriend Kelly, despite the fact that she is now engaged to another man who Will knows. With the few months Will has left in his enlistment, the army assigns him to the Casualty Notification Team in his area. Not having a background in counseling, psychology or grief management, he is unsure if he is well suited to this job. He is partnered with a career soldier, Captain Tony Stone, who teaches Will the precise protocol involved in the job. Tony tells Will, who quickly learns by on the job experience, that this job has its own dangers. As Will learns to adapt to the range of emotions of the next of kin, he is unprepared for the reaction of Olivia Pitterson, whose husband was killed in Iraq. His initial encounter with Olivia leads to him wanting to get to know her better, which may not be in either her or his best interest. Despite being a recovering alcoholic, the more experienced Tony tries to guide Will as best he can under their collective circumstances. –IMDb

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doublelife91

6Dec12

My favorite of 2009.

Picture of roger o. thornhill

roger o. thornhill

26Aug12

message 1: I recommend you see this! message 2: Buscemi steals it with his brief brilliant performance.

Picture of NenaNadine

NenaNadine

14Apr12

Ben Foster Needs more leading roles!!!!

Craig B and 2 others like this

Zach Closs, Pedro Tavares

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lasttimeisaw

22Mar12

great intangible tension of drama and compassion, with a witty script and cast. an 8/10 my review: http://lasttimeisawdotcom.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/last-film-i-saw-the-messenger/

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Articles

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By David Hudson on September 12, 2011

Even admirers of Moverman and Harrelson’s The Messenger are struggling with this new LA noir.

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Lists and Awards: Gothams, IDA, Spirits

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In Theaters, 11/13: The Messenger, Fantastic Mr. Fox, 2012...

By David Hudson on November 13, 2009

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The Messenger DVD review

By Twitchfilm.com on May 17, 2011
Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) has been excused from the throes of the battlefield after a non-lethal injury, but still needs to serve his time in the Army. He is assigned to the CNT (casualty
read on Twitchfilm.com

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[Last Film I Saw] The Messenger

By lasttim​eisaw on March 22, 2012

Title: The Messenger
Year: 2009
Language: English
Country: USA
Genre: Drama, War
Director: Oren Moverman
Writers:
Alessandro Camon
Oren Moverman
Cast:
Ben…  read review

The Messenger

By Adam Suraf on June 19, 2010
Pitch perfect acting and a difficult, wordy screenplay distinguish this war themed indy from last year, about the ways in which war and tragedy affect human communication. After suffering a devastating…

Film review: The Messenger

By Miasma on May 18, 2010

Ben Foster plays a soldier back from the Middle East – a very strong, very silent type, Foster’s apparent preference: quiet, smoldering intensity. Foster kicks ass. With three months…  read review

The Messenger

By Marq on January 9, 2010

A very good film, with several moving scenes and performances.
It’s like the cast was made to guarantee my enjoyment. Ben Foster’s intensity has never been better; Harrelson adds to a great comeback…  read review

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