Will Montgomery, a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant who has returned home from Iraq, is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Montgomery is partnered with Captain Tony Stone, to give notice to the families of fallen soldiers. The Sergeant is drawn to Olivia Pitterson, to whom he has delivered news of her husband’s death.
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 17 wins & 44 nominations.
Top Critics Reviews
fresh:
With the insight and sensitivity of an insider, The Messenger illuminates the sometimes invisible victims of war -- the survivors -- and a pain that is tolerated but never quite healed.
– Rene Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan 2010
fresh:
Harrelson gives us layers of hurt under a callous yet needy crust. It may be the best performance of his career and certainly deserves Oscar consideration.
– Roger Moore,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Jan 2010
fresh:
The film is premised on the verbal communication of urgent information, yet its many non-verbal moments provide the greatest strength and clarity.
– Peter Howell,
Toronto Star,
26 Feb 2010
fresh:
The bombshell is the news of a soldier's death and the delivery of that message is the heart of this unsentimental, yet deeply moving, story.
– Rick Groen,
Globe and Mail,
26 Feb 2010
fresh:
[An] unpredictable, episodic, deeply resonant character piece.