The Messenger
by director Oren Moverman
It sounds like a downer. I concur. It could have been a downer. An unfamiliar,
nasty voice in my head whispers it should have been
a downer, man. But it isn't. We couldn't go there. The Messenger is about
casualty notification, death announcements; it's about the people here
at home who have to live with the consequences of the decision
to go to war over there. Families. Wives. Parents. Returning soldiers.
It's dark at its core. So we needed to look for the light. Just like
in life, in my life, in your life, we needed to make the movie about
human connections. About love, and friendship, and humor. We needed
to find optimism, reject cynicism, we needed to make a film with the
premise that choosing to live is possible, and necessary.
But I haven't told you anything yet about the story. I haven't even mentioned
the actors. I can't recall if I even introduced myself and the tracking
ball on this blackberry I write on is funky, I can't scroll up. Oh,
well. What I wanted to say is that The Messenger is opening nationwide.
But you already know that. It's a film we made for many reasons, but one
stands out as I write these words: it's a film about getting back to
feeling, it's about gratitude.
It's not a downer, it's a feel good movie that respects the fact that
life isn't always about feeling good. Please go see it. Then call someone
and tell them you love them. You'll see what I mean.
If you're reading these words you must be alive. It's a good thing, you
know. Keep doing it. And thank you for the time you've given me here.
I'll see you at The Messenger.
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