'The Messenger'

Woody Harrelson was a recent Oscar nominee for his fine work in this drama about military officers assigned to notify other soldiers' families of the battle-related deaths of their loved ones.

Ben Foster plays Harrelson's new partner in being such emissaries, and the two men form a close bond that helps them in unexpected ways. Jena Malone, Samantha Morton, Eamonn Walker and Steve Buscemi also are in director and co-writer Owen Moverman's fine cast. *** (R: AS, N, P) (Also on Blu-ray)

Buy 'The Messenger' on DVD.