Americans acknowledge that freedom is not free, for the cost often involves human lives and families forever struggling with a profound sorrow. Several films have been made about the Iraq war, but none have achieved great box office results. The Messenger sheds light on that war from a perspective rarely seen or addressed either on TV or in films.

Ben Foster plays Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery, and Woody Harrelson portrays Captain Tony Stone. Both soldiers have been assigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification service. Like other officers across America who wait for the beep on their phones, Will and Tony travel to homes to inform families about loved ones killed in service to our country. Will, himself just returning from service in Iraq and a new assignee to this job, is not happy about the assignment.

Foster is quickly gaining a reputation as an actor with incredible talent. He garnered critical acclaim as outlaw Charlie Prince in 3:10 to Yuma opposite Russell Crowe. He also appeared in  X-Men: The Last Stand, held his own in the thriller Hostage and is well known for his work in TV’s Six Feet Under.

Although he usually devotes considerable thought to consideration of new roles, Foster never hesitated after reading the script for The Messenger and meeting with director and co-writer Oren Moverman. “One reason was getting the opportunity to address the war in a way that didn’t feel like it was lecturing the audience or pushing a political agenda,” Foster said. “Also, Oren Moverman  and Alessandro Camon’s script was very spare, human and shockingly funny and universal. We all know what it’s like to lose somebody, and it felt like a wonderful question to ask people I respect.”

If Foster had the smallest inking of what his role would require, he was in for a surprising realization. He and Harrelson were given a tour of the Walter Reade facility that houses wounded soldiers returning from war. Foster obviously felt a deep impact from this visit, as shown in his soft spoken reactions that came across as reflective yet earnest.  “We saw a side of war in action -- the action of healing,” he said. “Everybody has their political opinions, and from my experience, I’d hear ‘the names of the dead.’ That rattled me, but they were just names. Then you see these boys and girls, who are brave, but they are children, with missing limbs and vision, and you don’t get those images out of your head.”

Throughout The Messenger, Will and Tony engage in an interesting relationship -- and both Foster and Harrelson offer tour de force performances. Foster, who was excited to be working with Harrelson, expressed surprise by the depth of his performance. “I’ve been a fan of his for years,” Foster said. “He doesn’t do that many dramatic performances, but he’s so powerful and his heart is so big. He has a gift of being incredibly funny but when he does choose to do dramatic work he gives himself entirely.”

In the movie, after making several calls on families and witnessing their horror as well as being hit or spit on, Will believes he can handle anything. He learns differently when he calls on Olivia Pitterson (Samantha Morton) to inform her that her husband has been killed. The nine-and-a- half minute scene in the kitchen between Will and Olivia is amazing, especially in the way their eyes waltz about with looks of what might be or could have been.  “She’s (Morton) one of the great actors,” Foster declared. “She’s so professional and intuitive, and dangerous in her performance in a very restrained way. Some people just happen to tap into it. She’s just magic.”

The Messenger contains strong sentiments, and feelings between the actors and director grew significantly during the filming. “I have the utmost love and respect for Oren and his ability and courage to feel and his discard for the need to know,” Foster said. “He knows how to make you feel comfortable. He’s a master.”

Moverman insists the movie is not about the casualties of war but captures the human portrait of grief, friendship and survival instead. “It’s more concerned with the people left behind who have to deal with life after the casualties of war have gone away,” said Moverman, who also knows his lead actor has turned in a stunning performance.

“There is a maturity and longing to his (Foster's) acting that is so layered,” Moverman said. “It’s sympathetic, but it’s also challenging. You can see the drive in Ben to achieve wholeness, which is precisely what Will Montgomery is trying to do.”

The Messenger opened on a limited basis November 13, 2009.

(Poster for The Messenger © 2009 Oscilloscope Pictures. All Rights Reserved.)