The Messenger (I) (2009)

R  |   |  Drama, Romance, War  |  4 December 2009 (USA)
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 28,707 users   Metascore: 77/100
Reviews: 92 user | 215 critic | 32 from Metacritic.com

An American soldier struggles with an ethical dilemma when he becomes involved with a widow of a fallen officer.

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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 44 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Monica Washington (as Yaya Dacosta)
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Dale Martin
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Paul Diomede ...
Motorcycle Cop
Jahmir Duran-Abreau ...
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Teenager #1 (as Brian DeJesus)
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Storyline

While on a recent deployment to Iraq, US Army Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery is injured when an improvised explosive device goes off within close proximity to him. He is back in the States recovering from the more serious of those injuries, including one to his eye and leg. He has resumed a sexual relationship with his long time girlfriend Kelly, despite the fact that she is now engaged to another man who Will knows. With the few months Will has left in his enlistment, the army assigns him to the Casualty Notification Team in his area. Not having a background in counseling, psychology or grief management, he is unsure if he is well suited to this job. He is partnered with a career soldier, Captain Tony Stone, who teaches Will the precise protocol involved in the job. Tony tells Will, who quickly learns by on the job experience, that this job has its own dangers. As Will learns to adapt to the range of emotions of the next of kin, he is unprepared for the reaction of Olivia Pitterson, ... Written by Huggo

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content/nudity | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

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Release Date:

4 December 2009 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

El mensajero  »

Filming Locations:

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Box Office

Budget:

$6,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$44,523 (USA) (13 November 2009)

Gross:

$1,108,684 (USA) (7 May 2010)
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

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Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite its critical acclaim and Oscar nominations, The Messenger (2009) didn't receive a theatrical release in the UK for nearly two years. See more »

Goofs

Montgomery wears an armor crest as his branch insignia and also wears a Combat Infantry Badge. Since his branch insignia crest represent that he is an armor crewman and not infantry, he should not be wearing a Combat Infantry Badge. Only the infantry can wear a Combat Infantry Badge after being awarded the badge while in combat. See more »

Quotes

Olivia Pitterson: Did you ever loose anybody?
Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery: Yeah. Friends, over there. My father, during peace time, drunk driver.
Olivia Pitterson: Did they catch him?
Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery: No, my father was the drunk driver.
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Soundtracks

Profits of Doom
(2003)
Written by Dan Maines. Jean-Paul Gaster,Neil Fallon and Tim Sult (as Richard Timothy Sult)
Performed by Clutch
Published by Sea Gator Music administered by ICG/EverGreen Copyrights
Courtesy of Clutch, LLC
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Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
The Messenger sticks with you
1 June 2010 | by (Austin, TX) – See all my reviews

I'm normally pretty hesitant about watching movies that have to do with war, but I'm glad that I chose to watch The Messenger. The movie took a completely different stance than what I'm used to when watching a movie about war. I never really thought about the people that had to deliver the message about a loved one that died in the military, and the way the story is told made me really care for the characters and feel for Harrelson's and Foster's characters and the important job that they have to perform. I would never want to have to do their job, but I truly respect the people that have to perform that job on a daily basis.

Harrelson, Foster and Samantha Morton put on really powerful performances that I honestly believed. And the rest of the cast did a fine job, as well. The emotion was so intense that I could feel it, and I easily got sucked into the story. It was a powerful movie that really made me think about the hardships in a sincere and thoughtful way. Overall, I enjoyed the film and I will continue recommending it to all my friends because I think everybody should watch it at least once. The story sticks with you long after you finish watching the movie.


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