The Messenger Information

The Messenger is a 2009 war drama film starring Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Steve Buscemi, Jena Malone, and Samantha Morton. It is the directorial debut of Oren Moverman, who also wrote the screenplay with Alessandro Camon.

The film premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and was in competition at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival where it won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay and the Berlinale Peace Film Award '09. The film received first prize for the 2009 Deauville American Film Festival. The film has also received four Independent Spirit Award nominations (including one win), a Golden Globe nomination, and two Academy Award nominations.

Plot

Will Montgomery (Ben Foster), a lone rebellious U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and declared war hero, has returned home from Iraq, and since he served enough war time, he is assigned as a Casualty Notification officer. Montgomery is partnered with a strict recovering alcoholic, Captain Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson), to give notice to the families of fallen soldiers. The Sergeant is drawn to Olivia Pitterson (Samantha Morton), now a single mother, to whom he has delivered news of her husband's death.

Cast

• Ben Foster as Staff Sgt. Will Montgomery
• Woody Harrelson as Capt. Tony Stone
• Steve Buscemi as Dale Martin
• Jena Malone as Kelly
• Yaya DaCosta as Monica Washington
• Samantha Morton as Olivia Pitterson
• Fiona Dourif as Returning Soldier's Wife
• Eamonn Walker as Lt. Col Stuart Dorsett
• Peter Francis James as Dr. Grosso

Production

The Messenger marked the directorial debut of Israeli screenwriter and former journalist Oren Moverman. Though Sydney Pollack, Roger Michell, and Ben Affleck were all attached to direct the movie at various times, when those talks fell through, the producers eventually asked Moverman to helm the project. The filmmakers worked closely with the United States Army and the Walter Reed Medical Center to conduct research on military life, and were specifically advised by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Sinor as a technical consultant.

Reception

The film currently holds a 90% 'Certified Fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 151 reviews. The film also currently holds a 76% 'Generally favorable reviews' rating on MetaCritic based on 27 reviews. Harrelson's performance was subject to considerable praise, leading to Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor.

Top ten lists

The Messenger received strong positive reviews from critics and appeared on several critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2009.

• 3rd: Robert Mondello, NPR
• 4th: Ty Burr, Boston Globe
• 4th: Stephen Holden, The New York Times
• 9th: Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
• 10th: Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
• Top 10: David Denby, The New Yorker

Awards and nominations

Wins

• 59th Berlin International Film Festival
  • Peace Film Award
  • Silver Berlin Bear (Best Screenplay): Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman

• Deauville Film Festival
  • Critics Award: Best Film
  • Grand Special Prize: Best Film

• 25th Independent Spirit Awards
  • Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson

• National Board of Review
  • Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson
  • Spotlight Award: Oren Moverman

• San Diego Film Critics Society Awards
  • Best Supporting Actress: Samantha Morton

Nominations

• 82nd Academy Awards
  • Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson
  • Best Original Screenplay: Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman

• 59th Berlin International Film Festival
  • Golden Berlin Bear: Oren Moverman

• Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards
  • Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson
  • Best Supporting Actress: Samantha Morton

• Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
  • Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson

• 67th Golden Globe Awards
  • Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson

• Gotham Awards
  • Breakthrough Award: Ben Foster

• 25th Independent Spirit Awards
  • Best First Feature
  • Best Supporting Actress: Samantha Morton
  • Best Screenplay: Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman

• Online Film Critics Society Awards
  • Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson

• 14th Satellite Awards
  • Best Motion Picture (Drama)
  • Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson

• 36th Saturn Awards
  • Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film

• 16th Screen Actors Guild Awards
  • Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson

• Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards
  • Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson
  • Best Supporting Actress: Samantha Morton

Box office performance

In North America, The Messenger opened in limited release, and so far the film has grossed $1,109,660. With a foreign gross of $411,601, The Messenger has achieved a worldwide gross of $1,521,261.