In his most powerful performance to date, Ben Foster stars as Will Montgomery, a U.S. Army officer who has just returned home from a tour in Iraq and is assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Partnered with fellow officer Tony Stone (Woody Harrelson) to bear the bad news to the loved ones of fallen soldiers, Will faces the challenge of completing his mission while seeking to find comfort and healing back on the home front. When he finds himself drawn to Olivia (Samantha Morton), to whom he has just delivered the news of her husband’s death, Will’s emotional detachment begins to dissolve and the film reveals itself as a surprising, humorous, moving and very human portrait of grief, friendship and survival.

Featuring tour-de-force performances from Foster, Harrelson and Morton, and a brilliant directorial debut by Oren Moverman, THE MESSENGER brings us into the inner lives of these outwardly steely heroes to reveal their fragility with compassion and dignity.

This films opens November 13th in limited release. Thus far, reviews are very strong--100% at Rotten Tomatoes.

With a respected cast and glowing reviews, could this become an Oscar contender? Or at least an Indie Spirit Awards contender?

It's being released by a very small company--Oscilloscope Laboratories, owned by musician Adam Yauch (Beastie Boys)--which could hurt. Their highest profile release to date was the Michelle Williams vehicle Wendy and Lucy.

Still, I believe this is a one to watch.

I saw this today and, if it weren't from such a tiny company, it DEFINITELY could be a strong contender, especially for Best Actor (Ben Foster) and Best Supporting Actor (Woody Harrelson). Samantha Morton, too, though I'm not sure if they would push her in Lead or Supporting. It's one of those could-go-either-way type parts. The movie is superbly acted and has a very tender, realistic screenplay. It's a pity it will go ignored. Here's hoping the Indie Spirits give it a bit of love.

I think The Hurt Locker being so acclaimed and already a big player hurts it.

THE HURT LOCKER definitely hurts it. But still, I'm kind of hoping it does get a bit of love since it's from Oscilloscope and I love to see films from small companies get nominated, not to mention this one released one of my favorites from last year, WENDY & LUCY, which should have scored Michelle a Best Actress nomination . If only Oscilloscope had been a bigger company she would have been a shoe-in. I am still upset about that .

Anyway, there is a chance this could get a nomination or two, but THL will likely overshadow it.

This had a strong NBR showing. On the top ten list and a Best Supp. Actor win for Harrelson.

I could see this getting a Best Picture nomination. I know it's a tiny movie, but it's picking up traction. I would love for Oscilloscope to have a breakout.

Despite its tiny release, this does seem to be gaining steam, you're right. Harrelson is now a bona fide frontrunner, along with Waltz.

He's #2 behind Waltz.


But Waltz is ahead of him by a landslide.

Fair enough.

Would be closer if the movies were more equal--a $100+ million-grossing summer film vs. a super-tiny indie. Has The Messenger even grossed one million yet?

No it hasn't even grossed $600,000 yet.

Not sure otherwise but Waltz' turn was really praised all-around.

EW was very supportive of this film in their Academy Awards issue, predicting it to score Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress (Morton) nominations. Could easily mean nothing, but I thought it was interesting.

i found the film to be very meh.