The Messenger DVD review

Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) has been excused from the throes of the battlefield after a non-lethal injury, but still needs to serve his time in the Army. He is assigned to the CNT (casualty notification team) working as Captain Tony Stone's (Woody Harrelson) partner. The stresses of the job and some personal decisions cause conflict and catharsis.

Death and tragedy are an inevitable part of life. Even today natural disasters, including the recent Fukushima earthquake account for great calamity and loss, but cannot be comprehended at a truly emotional level as needless deaths become statistics. The Messenger, although rigorous and compliant in approach, avoids this birds-eye view entirely and focuses on two former active army soldiers that have to come face-to-face with the grim realities of war and of life itself. It is a personal and highly emotional methodology, but all part of the JD (job description) for them.

As this interpersonal approach is the focal point, The Messenger does not skimp on revealing the broken, traumatized nature of both men. Will in particular struggles with his injury and his decisions that lead him to be so inactive and 'useless' while Tony craves the excitement of combat and conflict having never really experienced it, but is initially introverted and sticks to his regulations and processes; straight laced and stern in appearance.

Due to the brooding nature of both men and the emotionally draining nature of the job they have been assigned, the mood of The Messenger maintains an effectively dour and stark perspective. The attitude of 'no god and no heaven' is evident, particularly after both men witness emotional outbursts and mourning; surely if a god existed he would not be this cruel? The film contains some dark comedy elements that fit in well with the mostly ultra-serious tone, as even in times of loss and tragedy comedy somehow can find a way in.

The authenticity of The Messenger cannot be overstated. The research was thoroughly conducted and director Oren Moverman spent a great deal of time with an actual notification team; their procedural terms, acronyms, lingo and even slang translates well on the screen. This dissemination of death and mourning carries with it a simple message, that for every scenario; bereaved father, sister, and lover, you simply cannot train for this level of emotional intensity. One example of this was Steve Buscemi's exemplary cameo as a bereaved father, that took his frustration and grief directly out on Will.

Both men are complex ticking time bombs and serving as CNT officers only works to shorten the fuse. It is clear that they both lead shell shocked lives and very individual lives at that. In one scene Will is seen talking to another soldier on the eve of his welcome back party. Although both men have a lot in common, they are both very unwilling to talk about the war, and are essentially in denial. Throughout the film both Will and Tony are desperate for companionship. Will breaches some ethical and regulatory barriers and his longing and desperation are put to the test when his sense of obligation leads to a dysfunctional relationship with a widow Olivia Pitterson (Samantha Morton) that unravels with interesting results. The scenes that Will and Olivia share are infused with a complex contradiction of longing and guilt and the resolution is refreshing and honest.

Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster give amazing performances as Tony and Will. Here are two men bereft of the human connection everyone else seems to have. They are kindred souls; the by-products of war and they will never truly heal, shielded by the various denials they cling to. They are both unhinged and other than the very upset door knocking experiences they encounter, they have an Us vs. Them defiance that leads to constant conflict. The notifications themselves lead to a string of choices that bring them to confession and baptism which forces them to reevaluate and face some hard truths. This conclusion is raw, honest, terrifying and satisfying as the veil of denial is lifted.

DVD Features:

• Commentary with director/co-writer and actors
• Documentary about the CNT
• Feature about reflections from the set
• Q&A with the cast and crew
• Theatrical trailer

• K, out.