THE MESSENGER: EARNS PURPLE HEART

Hands down one of the best war films I have seen even though it takes place on US soil. Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) is mending from wounds he received while on duty in Iraq. While finishing out his time, he is assigned to work with Lieutenant Anthony Stone (Woody Harrelson) a seemingly button down, straight arrow soldier whose job it is to inform next of kin (NOK) about their recently killed loved one.

No matter what kind of action Montgomery has seen in Iraq, nothing compares to what he learns to deal with in this new assignment. It is gut wrenching to watch, over and over, the news being delivered and the wide range of reactions; from nothing to violent. Montgomery also must face the attraction he feels for one of the widows (Samantha Morton) he has had to inform. Both actors are sharp and human in their portrayals. Harrelson is multi layered and does a fine job in peeling back each of those layers slowly and methodically. Foster is amazing and really embodies a young man in turmoil whose life has gone through unbelievable experiences. This is an excellent film that deserves more attention than what it drew in theater goers. Wow.
Big bite: Respectful, honest and decent, a movie that condemns war and supports soldiers.