Woody Harrelson stars in ‘The Messenger’

Movie: "The Messenger"

When: Opening Friday at Village Square

Cast: Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Samantha Morton, Steve Buscemi

Director: Oren Moverman

The story: Home from Iraq, a newly decorated sergeant joins an older captain on "bereavement notification" duty, informing next of kin that their loved ones have been killed.

The buzz: This award-winning drama has earned Harrelson some of the best notices of his career -- along with an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor. Moverman (who's up for a best original screenplay Oscar) makes his directorial debut after scripting such indie winners as "Jesus' Son," but his best preparation for making this movie might have been the four years he spent as a paratrooper in the Israeli army.