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The Messenger

DVD - 2010 DVD War Messenger 3 On Shelf No requests on this item Community Rating: 3.9 out of 5

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Call Number: DVD War Messenger
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Westgate Branch

Location & Checkout Length Call Number Checkout Length Item Status
Downtown 1st Floor
1-week checkout
DVD War Messenger 1-week checkout On Shelf
Downtown 1st Floor
1-week checkout
DVD War Messenger 1-week checkout On Shelf
Westgate Adult A/V
1-week checkout
DVD War Messenger 1-week checkout On Shelf

DVD release of the 2009 motion picture.
Special features: Notification (documentary); audio commentary with Oren Moverman, Lawrence Inglee, Ben Foster, and Woody Harrelson; Going home : reflections from the set; Variety screening series Q&A; The messenger shooting script; exclusive essay by Anthony Swofford.
Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone, Steve Buscemi.
Partnered with hard-line officer Tony Stone, Sgt. Will Montgomery is a battle-scarred war hero home from Iraq and newly assigned to the Army's Casualty Notification service. He faces this formidable mission while seeking comfort and healing back on the home front when he falls for the wife of a fallen soldier.
DVD, NTSC; widescreen (2.35:1) presentation; Dolby digital 5.1 surround and stereo.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Next of Kin submitted by Caser on December 5, 2010, 1:52pm In a surprisingly un-preachy "war" film, the characters, not the war and not the politics, take center stage. With a script that is nothing short of authentic, the film succeeds because it never takes for granted the depth of a person's grief.

Two former soldiers are charged with the task of being first to notify a fallen soldier's next of kin that their loved one is dead. Each notification scene is given the solemn, respectful honesty that it deserves without feeling emotionally manipulative or overbearing. There is no music during these scenes, no superficial lighting or effects, just two men delivering the worst news anyone can get.

Ben Foster (or Russell as fans of Six Feet Under know him), is superb as Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery, recently returned from duty in Iraq, and only a few weeks away from being discharged. Harrelson is a great fit as Montgomery's mentor and oft-caustic friend. He serves well his purpose in breaking up the drama with some light hearted lines while not taking away from the seriousness of the theme.

The narrative unravels a bit with the love story and the road trip, for it seems like at times the film isn't sure what exactly it wants to be, though it does very well with what it wants to say.

A more realistic view submitted by cathiek on July 25, 2011, 6:40pm Excellent, especially because it shares with us a down-to-earth perspective from a soldier's point of view. Definitely worth watching. The acting is especially strong. And the love scenes were touching and far more realistic than most. Highly recommend this movie.

The Messenger submitted by SBNB on July 2, 2014, 9:10pm I thought it was boring, especially the second half. I wouldn't recommend it.