This movie is wayyy better than hurt locker which is a pretty average movie.Wake up Academy!
shareI second that, I think it is better than the hurt locker too, it should be more widely released and recognised.
shareindeed,i don understand all the fuss about hurt locker.I was quite impressed with all the scenes of delivering the terrible message,and it was very well-made and played,it really moved me and i am not even american!
shareOh my, just finished watching this gorgeous film and I couldn't agree more. Not only was it better than Hurt Locker (which I found to be obtuse and unfocused, with average performances at best) but the performance of Ben Foster was light years deeper than Woody Harrelson's, or Jeff Bridges', for that matter. I thought, WHO is this guy and why isn't he being lauded as much as Christoph Waltz (who I do believe deserves the accolades given to him)
I was really moved by this film, there's hardly an off note in the entire two hours. The whole thread of "messages" - the way Ben Foster's character doesn't do email and turns his phone machine off - and the way that "heroics" are so poetically illustrated in his treatment of the families of the dead, the way he goes outside the boundaries of his assignment, his genuine warmth, making himself vulnerable to the violence of uncontrolled grief - I was just stunned. It was a rare performance, I'm truly shocked that he's not getting the attention he deserves.
The Messenger was everything I look for in a movie. The only thing I'd change is that I wish there was a time machine that would have made Robert Duvall 30 years younger so he could have played the Woody Harrelson role. Woody just didn't do it for me.
I absolutely loved The Hurt Locker I felt it was a really enjoyable movie but I didn't feel it was a deep war movie like other people did I felt it was a heroic tense "hollywoodised" picture but done in the best way possible.
This film however was just bursting with heart and rich full characters. I await anything Ben Foster is in with great anticipation since I seen him in Alpha Dog I've been blown away by the amount of talent he holds, I believe he could be the next Sean Penn or De Niro if he gets the right parts. He stole the show in 30 Days of Night with his short screentime. Woody Harrelson was great as always he can entertain me on so many different levels.
It was extremely well directed and the pacing was perfect I've seen it compared to Brothers on these boards and while the comparison is inevitable I don't believe Brothers comes anywhere near as accomplished as this. I felt while Brothers was a well made film it didn't have such rich characters and whilst this is no mistake of the filmmakers or actors the choices the characters made in the film irritated me to the point I turned against the film.
This is a film that will get appreciated more and more as time goes on. I almost think of it as The Last Detail for our generation. I can't wait to see what Ben Foster is in next.
Apples are waaaay better than oranges!
shareThe Hurt Locker really isn't about the war, it's a story about an adrenaline junkie.
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I just saw this film and was blown away by Ben Foster's performance. Who is this guy and why hasn't he been recognized. This film is from an Army's viewpoint and still there are no scenes of violence - it could have been so easy to replay Will's experience as he watches his soldiers being blown up by a bomb. Instead there is only Will relating it to Tony and Tony finally releasing his emotions and weeping openly while Will watches from the kitchen. A subtle and moving film far better than Hurt Locker for sure.
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I just found Woody put a bit too much of his "stoner" persona into this role, and I didn't think it was a good acting choice. I would have preferred what I imagine Duvall would have brought to the role, more complexity and pathos in the balance of "old hand" and f*uckup. I thought the character was too comedic in a one-note sort of way, I didn't see the conflicted, damaged man the Ben Foster character is reacting to. It just didn't gel for me, and I missed that.
I usually enjoy Woody Harrelson, I've even met the man (hi Woody!). I just loved this movie so much on so many levels and felt he was a bit of a weak link.
Your mileage may vary, of course
I don't think so.
shareThey're different. Both are terrific, but I can see myself going back to watch The Hurt Locker more than The Messenger in the future. Not that I think because one is better than the other, but The Messenger is so depressing I just can't see myself wanting to buy it or watch it multiple times. Perhaps I am a bit biased on that one because I currently have a family member serving in Iraq, and the possibility of a messenger coming to my door is pretty much a nightmare for me.
shareThese movies are two different cats. One shows a bomb ordinace team, and once shows a death dealing team. I'm a fan of both movies, this movie was great, but Hurt Locker destroys it in every aspect. Woody was great, Renner was better!!!!
shareWhen I saw the Hurt Locker I thought to myself "is that it?" It was a big disappointment considering the praise heaped upon it. It was above average but certainly nothing great. Messengers had several great performances and was far less boring, even with a slower pace than the Hurt Locker.
shareThe Messenger was ultimately about hope and redemption!! Ben Foster's character goes from being a shellshocked depressive to a man who has regained a connection to his higher self through courageously (the film explores the true nature of courage) helping others in their grief. Through this, he also opens up to the prospect of romantic love (which also requires real courage!). So beautiful to experience on film! The Hurt Locker for me was about... um... how soldiers are people transformed into one-dimensional adrenaline junkies and lose their ability to function in mainstream society? I got that, no prob. But it wasn't nearly as moving or interesting for me as the emotional arc and dramatic tension of the characters in The Messenger. The Hurt Locker wasn't bad, just.. meh. Maybe I'll give it another chance, maybe some other layer of meaning will become apparent for me, I'm just saying that The Messenger had me in joyful, cathartic tears at the first viewing. Loved it! Hurt Locker, not so much.
shareI also agree.
shareThank you IMDb posters. Just watched the movie tonight on DVD, after its release Tuesday. I tried to see it in the movie house, but it fleeted away too quickly.
While I don't agree with the OP that this was a better movie than "Hurt Locker," my initial reaction was, "Why wasn't this film nominated alongside 'Hurt Locker'"? An incredible film addressing searing topical issues in America with intelligence, sensitivity and provacative contemplation that gives films life after you've left the theater.
"Hurt Locker" was a great film, and I'm glad it won the Oscar for Best Picture and that Kathryn Bigelow was heralded as the first female director. It's about time. And yet, I would've liked to see "The Messenger" up there on the ticket, too, replacing maybe "Up," "The Blind Side," "Inglourious Basterds," all of which I enjoyed but none of which had the immediate impact of "The Messenger."
I was glad to see that after I viewed the film others felt the same way. We may be a minority, but at least we have good taste.
'The Messenger' definitely should have replaced 'The Blind Side'..erg!
It boggles my mind how that saccharine movie even got into the running in the first place, especially now that there are 10 best picture nominations to choose from in that particular category.
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I loved The Hurt Locker but I love this film too. The screenplay is amazing. As someone said earlier it is our generations THE LAST DETAIL which was also a great script written by the great Bob Towne. Ben Foster has promising career ahead. I thought he was kinda snubbed for his supporting role in 3:10 to Yuma. This film also hopefully will give Woody a chance to do more challenging work. His performance as Larry Flynt showcased his talent greatly but with that role being so unique it kind of left him with nowhere to go...he's been twisting in the wind for the past decade and we should get to see him in some better roles. This film should have easily been nominated Best Picture and I feel the script was far better than The Hurt Locker. Awesome picture. I wish we could see scripts this solid more often. The last film that had such a powerful script was Traffic, 10 years ago.
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What a relief to find some sanity concerning the cheesy and boring Blindside. I would have much preferred to see this film recognized. Also like it more than hurt locker, but totally different film. Hurt locker's camera work made it immediate but so difficult to watch.
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