The Messenger (2009)
85%RT Audience Score: 75%
Awards & Nominations: 5 wins & 13 nominations
A dark but timely subject is handled deftly by writer/directer Owen Moverman and superbly acted by Woody Harrleson and Ben Foster
The Messenger is like a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with moments that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson’s performances are so good, you’ll forget you’re watching a movie and feel like you’re right there with them. It’s a must-watch for anyone who wants to see a war film that doesn’t just rely on explosions and gunfire to make an impact. Plus, who doesn’t love a little bit of Woody Harrelson in their life?
Production Company(ies)
Ashton Productions, The Mirisch Corporation,
Distributor
Oscilloscope Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Bruntal, Czech Republic
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong graphic battles, a rape and some language
Year of Release
1999
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital EXSDDS Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 52m
-
Language(s):English, Latin
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 27, 2009 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 18, 2010
Genre(s)
Drama/Romance
Keyword(s)
starring Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone, Steve Buscemi, Michael Chernus, directed by Oren Moverman, written by Alessandro Camon, Oren Moverman, drama, romance, war, R rating, reviewed by Ed Koch, Alissa Wilkinson, Laura Kern, Joshua Rothkopf, Peter Bradshaw, Tim Robey, Mike Massie, David Lamble, Felicia Feaster, Debbie Lynn Elias, Ben Goldhirsh, Mark Gordon, $1.1M box office, Oscilloscope Pictures, Iraq War, soldier, Casualty Notification service, ethical problem, fallen soldier, grief, next of kin, personal suffering, tortured souls, raw emotional power
Worldwide gross: $66,976,317
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $120,224,356
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 936
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 13,110,617
US/Canada gross: $14,276,317
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $25,626,387
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,330
US/Canada opening weekend: $6,360,968
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $11,418,115
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 917
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $85,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $152,577,370
Production budget ranking: 216
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $82,162,914
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$114,515,927
ROI to date (est.): -49%
ROI ranking: 1,685
Woody Harrelson – Tony Stone
Samantha Morton – Olivia Pitterson
Jena Malone – Kelly
Steve Buscemi – Dale Martin
Michael Chernus – Alan
Director(s)
Oren Moverman
Writer(s)
Alessandro Camon, Oren Moverman
Producer(s)
Benjamin Goldhirsh, Mark Gordon
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 13 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (162) | Top Critics (51) | Fresh (145) | Rotten (17)
An extraordinary anti-war film that does not engage in polemics. The Messenger’s extreme effectiveness is due to the brilliant acting of Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson.
January 16, 2018
Ed Koch
The Atlantic
TOP CRITIC
It is relentlessly bleak, even in its lighter moments. The downbeat tone is wearying. These days, we just need some hope.
April 12, 2016 | Rating: 6.8/10
Alissa Wilkinson
Paste Magazine
TOP CRITIC
[Foster and Harrelson’s] interplay, on the job (ruining the day of one unfortunate person after the next) and off…provides the backbone of this erratically paced film.
October 20, 2014
Laura Kern
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
November 17, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Joshua Rothkopf
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
An intelligent and well-acted film which deserves its outing here.
June 16, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
It’s a film of quietly assured dramatic clout, a strong and sober reckoning with American conscience.
June 16, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A slice-of-life bit of realism from first time director Oren Moverman that doesn’t have enough order or enough Woody Harrelson.
November 29, 2020 | Rating: 6/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Foster dazzles as a young man defusing the rage within.
June 18, 2020
David Lamble
Bay Area Reporter
The Messenger is authentic and artful, and unpretentious but philosophical, in its approach to difficult material.
January 23, 2020
Felicia Feaster
Charleston City Paper
The Messenger is seeded with unspoken truth, resulting in a dramatic tour de force film with an enlightening and uplifting script, focusing on the fragility and resiliency of the human condition.
November 13, 2019
Debbie Lynn Elias
Behind The Lens
Thoughtfully dissects the overarching consequences of that unfortunate conflict.
October 16, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
David Harris
Spectrum Culture
One of the most powerful and humane war dramas to spring from this current conflict.
August 5, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row…
Plot
After returning from Iraq with an injury, soldier Will Montgomery joins the Army’s Casualty Notification service and is teamed up with veteran officer Tony Stone. As they deliver the news of fallen soldiers to their families, Will becomes involved with Olivia, the widow of a fallen soldier, leading to an ethical dilemma.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Woody Harrelson received an Oscar nomination for his role in The Messenger.
Oren-Moverman.jpg
