The Messenger


The Messenger
This highly-rated film has the war in Iraq as backdrop, while set solidly on American soil. An injured non-com gets to serve out his last three months going to the relatives of soldiers killed in the war, to tell them of the death. He finds the job harrowing at first, even though he has an old hand to guide him. Things take a turn for the interesting when he starts becoming involved with the young widow of a deceased serviceman, which complicates his relationship with his boss.

113 minutes.
No persons under 16 (Language, Sex).
Drama, Romance, War.

Not currently showing on the local cinema circuit.

Now remember, no hugging...
Now remember, no hugging...

Credits

Cast
Ben Foster, Jena Malone, Samantha Morton, Eamonn Walker, Woody Harrelson, Yava DaCosta, Portia
Director
Oren Moverman
ScreenplayAlessandro Camon, Oren Moverman
MusicNathan Larson
CinematographyBobby Bukowski
EditingAlexander Hall
Sound formats
Made in2009
Produced byOscilloscope Laboratories, Omnilab Media, Sherazade Film Development, BZ Entertainment, Mark Gordon Company, Good Worldwide, All the Kings Horses, Reason Pictures

Official Site | IMDB page
Scroll down for embedded trailer

Film and Publications Board (FPB) Report (SA)

GenreWar, drama
LanguageStrong, frequent
NudityNone
SexStrongly implied, intense, occasional
ViolenceStrong verbal description, some other impactful mild to moderate violence
PrejudiceNone
BlasphemyModerate, infrequent profanity
Drug abuseAlcohol use to abuse
CommentsNone
These details are supplied by the FPB. If you have a problem with any of the above, please take it up directly with the FPB. Read the Classification Guidelines.



Ratings

Scale (Max)20

What the Critics say

Cape Argus / The Star
Theresa Smith
5
Die Burger
Laetitia Pople quote iconOorbekende oorlogfliek verloor stoom
5
Cape Times
Betsy Sharkey quote iconHow to live in the shadow of death
15
Box Office
Richard Mowe quote iconWith timeless resonances, this story of redemption, hope and resilience should have solid prospects for serious-minded filmgoers as well as Harrelson devotees.
15
Chicago Sunday Times
Roger Ebert
18
eye Weekly
Jason Anderson
15
Rolling Stone
Peter Travers quote iconThat's why The Messenger hits so hard. Its truths are personal. It means to shake you. And does.
18
Metacritic.com
13 critics
15
Rottentomatoes critics
106 critics
15
Rottentomatoes tomatometer
Tomatometer quote iconA dark but timely subject is handled deftly by writer/directer Owen Moverman and superbly acted by Woody Harrleson and Ben Foster.
18

What the People say

Internet
4164 Netizens quote iconNOT a war movie; NOT a movie about an ethical dilemma
15

Average .. 70%

14

Trailer






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