Movie Review of New Iraq War Film

There is a new Iraq war film out called, "The Messenger." No, it's not about Islam. It's supposed to be about the life of a Casualty Notification Officer (CNO), starring Woody Harrelson. This review from the N.Y. Times discusses the fact that Iraq war films have been underwhelming. The closest film to get it right, and I still didn't like it was "Hurt Locker." I didn't see all of the Hurt Locker, it just didn't hold my attention; though it was dramatic it felt slow and choppy.

In the Messenger, there is no flash bang, it's all about dialogue and drama. Just reading this N.Y. Times review about the movie, it makes no mention whatsoever about the Chaplain's role in handling Casualty Notification. Any Chaplain who has done a number of these will tell you it is probably the most difficult job they will ever perform. Chaplains know from training and experience that they are not only there to support the bereaved, but the CNO! Sometimes it's the Chaplain who has to hold it all together. I can't remember a time that I didn't pray with the CNO before he delivered the news. There are lots of variables to consider as one approaches this situation. Having just read this review, if they chucked the Chaplain out of the film, then they've just missed a big piece of reality.

Apparently Harrelson's character just returned from a deployment to Iraq and has taken this position as a CNO. Notice in the picture above that he is not wearing a combat patch on his Class A uniform, right shoulder sleeve. It's very unusual for an officer not to have it on his uniform. As you can tell, the NCO to his left is wearing it. If they don't get little stuff like that right, they will get written off like all the other Iraq war flicks.