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| Movie Review: The Messenger Alternate Title: Casualties of War
Story: Don't Shoot the Messenger
would be the obvious Alternate Title choice, but I thought that the
subject matter in this hard hitting film cried out for a more sober
Alternate Title. Polar opposites in nature, Army Officers Will
and Tony have the difficult task of knocking on doors, as part of the
Casualty Notification Office, to inform next of kin that their wife,
husband or child has been killed in action. The raw emotions come screaming
off of the big screen as director Oren Moverman gets
directly in your face while these officers deliver the bad news. The
film was written by Mr. Moverman and Alessandro Camon.
These are two men to watch. How both Will and Tony cope with the emotional armor they carry to
protect themselves as the news is delivered could have been sloppy and
sappy but this film never goes to either of those addresses. The topic is not one that most people think about and it is not easy
viewing. My major criticism is that the film would have been better
at 90 minutes rather than close to two hours. There were some unnecessary
scenes that did nothing to further the story or the characters. That said - this is a film that should be seen. You will be moved. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MEApxjYncI Acting: Ben Foster as Staff Sgt. Will Montgomery,
is someone to watch. His previous film 3:10 to Yuma also displayed his
talent. Woody Harrelson as Capt. Tony Stone, delivers
another in a series of fine performances. Samantha Morton
as the recent widow Olivia Pitterson, does not lose character for a
second. She is a rare talent. Jena Malone as Kelly
has grown up but is still pouting. and Steve Buscemi
as one of the grieving is just fine.
Trivia: Ben Foster has been practicing Transcendental
Meditation since four years old. At 12, he Won second place in an international
competition for a play that he wrote and directed. He dropped out of
high school his freshman year to move to Los Angeles. Woody
Harrelson is a vegan. He is an activist for the legalization
of marijuana. His father, Charles Harrelson, was sentenced to two life
sentences for the murder of Federal Judge John Howland Wood on the orders
of drug dealer Jimmy Chagra, who reportedly paid him $250,000. Harrelson
has claimed to be one of the "hobos" taken away from "the
grassy knoll" right after the shooting of John F. Kennedy.
Predilection: None
Critters: A distant kitty cat in the street
Food: Pizza and lots of beer
Sex Spectrum: Sex is part of the opening scene and
is a bit player throughout.
Blatant Product Placement: Pepsi
Soundtrack: Eclectic
Visual Art: Many of the scenes are reminiscent of
Edward Hopper paintings. Fabulous.
Theater Audience: About 30 other saddened viewers.
My movie buddy was not as pleased with this film as I was. He said he
thought it was cookie cutter and shallow. I told him I thought he was
shallow. We both laughed.
Weather: It is a hot Jersey summer.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: Delivering this news is very squirmy.
Drift Factor: It needed editing.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: I welled up a few times.
Oscar Worthy: I don't know. There cold be a nomination
in the mix.
Big Screen or Rental: I always vote for the big screen
when possible.
Length: A bit under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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