The Messenger

Director Oren Moverman, Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster and a large group of other cast and crew at the world premier of "The Messenger"

EMPIRE AVENUE, PARK CITY

With three months left in the service, Will (Ben Foster) has spent a good deal of time in army hospitals, healing scars from his time in Iraq. His chance at a fresh start lies in working shoulder to shoulder with Tony (Woody Harrelson), a senior officer who teaches him the ropes of his new post with the Casualty Notification Office. Will, who narrowly escaped death, must now break the news about those who didn’t. Between assignments, these two soldiers form a bond that helps them in their struggle to get back to "normal" life, fully knowing nothing will ever really be normal again. Foster adds yet another layer when Will faces an ethical dilemma because he is drawn to one of the young widows, played by Samantha Morton.

At it's center, this is a film about two guys who choose to live life and the relationship that grows between them. The fact that it's painted over the backdrop of the military is mostly inconsequential. It's a film that doesn't pack a huge emotional punch and leans toward predictability, but still proves to be enjoyable and insightful. It keeps a mostly even-keel, rarely challenging the depths of the characters.