THE MESSENGER
US, 2009, 105 minutes, Colour.
Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Steve Buscemi, Jena Malone.
Directed by Oren Movermen.
Taking as its starting point the war in Iraq, this contribution to the Iraq and post-Iraq US cinema focuses on the military personnel whose job it is to inform next of kin of the deaths of men and women killed in action. In the past, World War II experience, there was the telegram delivery and the stoic grief. This time we have several episodes in quite heart-rending close-up. The toll on parents, widows, children is seen briefly but powerfully. A cameo by Steve Buscemi as a father brings the upset and anger home to audiences.
The other feature of the film that of the title itself, The Messenger, specifically two men, one Will Montgomery (Ben Foster) as a convalescing veteran with three months of his tour of duty to serve out, the other Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson) who is his superior in the messenger job. Both Foster and Harrelson give commanding performances.
There are no visuals of the war, only verbal descriptions, especially later in the story when Montgomery tells Stone of the episode where he was wounded, made him consider suicide and gained him a military decoration.
The film is about the war and the trauma for personnel, for families, for the nation which, in the post-Bush era, it will have to deal with more extensively and more compassionately.
Stone is an army professional who has the clear, objective spiel off by heart with a well-worked out series of details to be most effective in delivering the news without any extra disturbance. Montgomery is affected by each visit and knows that detachment might be of more help for the calm and control of the messenger but humanity is needed for those receiving the message. He is moved by a widow who thanks them for coming (Samantha Morton) and he returns to help her and her son – which does work out quite as predictably as expected.
The screenplay (winner at Berlin) is both strong and credible – although drunken Montgomery and Stone (who is a recovering alcoholic) gatecrash Montgomery's former girlfriend's engagement do – which gives a screen opportunity for speeches about supporting the troops and the soldiers' disbelief at hearing the well-meaning cliches.
Much reference to Vietnam, the Gulf War, Bosnia and Iraq and the US's almost half-century of dealing and not dealing with the consequences of war. Well worth reflecting on.
1.The impact for an American audience? Military background? The relatives of those killed in warfare? A worldwide impact?
2.The background of fifty years of America at war, fighting in wars, casualties, the injured, death? Grief and coping? The contribution of this film to understanding?
3.The New Jersey setting, the base, the suburbs, houses and shops, suburbia? The countryside? The lake and fishing? Ordinary USA?
4.The musical score, the use of ‘Home on the Range’? The introduction to Will, his eyes, the injury to his eyes, his leg, the discussions with the doctors, the drops? His being in action, return? The meeting with Kelly, the sexual encounter, the meal, the discussion? Her saying she was engaged to Alan? His not wanting an engagement with her because of the possibilities of his death in action?
5.The introduction to Stone, officer, as part of the Messenger Squad, his task? The interviewer, Will and his strength of character, serving in this capacity for three months? The nature of the task, working with Stone?
6.The task and its routines, Stone and his explanation, knocking on the door, no touching, the spiel, the aspects of time and waiting, the impersonal nature of the message? The rules?
7.The examples of the action: the visit to the mother, the pregnant mother, her distress? The father, his anger, calling the messengers cowards? His later apology? The father, the supermarket, grief? The wife, living with her lover, not having told him the truth? The widow and her apologising to the messengers for having to do their job? The range of different responses? The effect on Will, the effect on Stone?
8.Will as a character, his pain, his eyes, listening to music, pumping iron, living alone, the phone calls to Kelly?
9.Stone and his background, completely dedicated to army life, the buddy system, drinks, talking with Will, the girl at the bar, the sexual encounter? His trying to persuade Will to be more extroverted?
10.The incidents and their revealing of characters? The example of the police pulling them over, the interactions with the police, shaming the police?
11.Will and Stone, going to Olivia, discussions about her and her plight, her son? Speculation on her marriage? The supermarket, the recruiters and people’s reaction? Her son? Will giving her a lift home, helping her, the meal, the boy and the eating of broccoli, packing up, the relationship, no proposal, Olivia and her deciding to move away, Will coming to help with the final move, giving him the address, going into the house?
12.Will and Stone, the anger with Stone, the drinking, the girls, going fishing, Stone and Alcoholics Anonymous, his breaking his pledge? The college kids and the confrontation, the fighting, Stone’s injury?
13.Their decision to gatecrash the engagement party, meeting with Kelly, with Alan, the guests having to cope, the toasts, the speech about support of the forces, the reactions of Will and Stone?
14.Stone, his staying within the military, security there?
15.Will, the three months up, his decision about his future?
16.The end, the effect, Will and the possibility of some hope with Olivia? Stone and the experience of having worked with Will?
