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Movie Overview
Cast
• Ben Foster
• Woody Harrelson
• Samantha Morton
Director
• Oren Moverman
MPAA Rating
R - for language and some sexual content/nudity.
Theatrical Release
Nov 13, 2009 (Limited)
The Messenger (2009)

REVIEWS
NEWS
INTERVIEWS
OTHER
OFCS Rating: 91% Fresh
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3/5
"As the lonely, complex and friendly Stone, Harrelson evokes the experience of The Messenger as sturdily as a freshly pinned medal of valor."  Filmcritic.com  Chris Cabin

86/100
"Powerful and resonant, this is a film that asks us to look at the human cost of war. Ben Foster is a revelation."  Cinemania  Dan Jardine

4/5
"Because of the nature of its subject matter, 'The Messenger' is emotionally charged, but director Oren Moverman and his able cast prevent it from feeling phony or manipulative."  eFilmCritic.com  Dan Lybarger

B
"Gripping but uneven home front war drama."  Ozus' World Movie Reviews  Dennis Schwartz

B+
"One of the most powerful and moving films about the human cost of the Afghan-Iraq war and about those of war in general to appear in years."  One Guy's Opinion  Frank Swietek

5/5
"An emotionally affecting drama about the birth of compassion in an Iraq war hero assigned to work for the Casualty Notification Office."  Spirituality and Practice  Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

4.5/5
"Yes, you're going to have to look for The Messenger. But the fact it's one of the best American films of 2009 makes that search worthwhile."  Redbox  James Rocchi

7/10
"Valiantly brings all wars to their ultimate endpoint: death and its effects on the fallen's loved ones."  ReelTalk Movie Reviews  Jeffrey Chen

4/5
"This is the kind of film people might skip due to the preponderance of war movies out there, or forget in the wake of flashier end-of-the-year output, but The Messenger is one to watch for great performances."  Cinerina  Karina Montgomery

B
"A n intricate dual character study."  Reeling Reviews  Laura Clifford

C+
"The Messenger's clipped insight that war is hell is just the sort of line straight from the manual that the film strenuously cautions against."  Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema  Mark Pfeiffer

4/5
"The Messenger is a worthy companion piece to this year's other movie about the war in the Middle East, Kathryn Bigelow's amazing The Hurt Locker."  Flipside Movie Emporium  Mike Bracken

B+
"Moverman's scripting is subdued and emotionally authentic."  Lessons of Darkness  Nick Schager

4/5
"Another dark, gloomy drama about home life during wartime, this film features some seriously great performances and a theme that will resonate powerfully with thoughtful audiences."  Shadows on the Wall  Rich Cline

B
"In an indirect sense, this film is also about the reality of war as opposed to the illusions about war."  Laramie Movie Scope  Robert Roten

9/10
"This film will be too much for some viewers because of the spot-on antiwar statement but the story is tight and the performances powerful."  Monsters and Critics  Ron Wilkinson

8/10
"...[The Messenger] highlights the gulf between those who have served in Iraq and nearly everyone else they deal with after returning home."  Playback:stl  Sarah Boslaugh

2/4
"Beyond the interesting subjects, Moverman doesn't have a definitive place for his film to go."  Charlotte Weekly  Sean O'Connell

7/10
"Poignant and insightful."  SSG Syndicate  Susan Granger

7/10
"Implies without stating, allowing us to understand and interpret the men as we will, without having anything forced down our throats."  Antagony & Ecstasy  Tim Brayton

4/4
"A film that never forgets those who most feel the pain of loss during a time of war."  Oscar Guy  Wesley Lovell

"Click here to see review"  Wolf Entertainment Guide  William Wolf
OFCS Rating: 91% Fresh
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