UPDATE: Our Ben Foster Podcast Interview on ‘The Messenger’ is Now Online – Click Here to Listen or Click Here to Subscribe for Free to the Podcast and have the interview downloaded automatically.
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In February I asked the question of that character actor you may have seen in a comic western, or a sci-fi flick, or a vampire movie, or a vampire western, or a comic book blockbuster or some combination of all of those:
Is Ben Foster the Best Actor in American Film Today?
It’s October now and Foster’s still on my mind . Just look at him in the trailer for the new Iraq War fallout movie ‘The Messenger’:
Messenger Trailer (Quicktime on Apple trailer site)
He may look like Owen Wilson genetically splurshed with Edward Norton – but by God he knows how to perform in front of a camera. His energy seems internal – it leaks out of the edges of the frame, like there’s some sort of strange melancholic miasma seeping out of the screen.
He’s the reason I’m seeing ‘Pandorum’ tomorrow – a film that I’d normally avoid as it doesn’t seem to be enough – meaning that right now I’m either into seeing films that are masterpieces, (those that transcend their genre to become lasting works of art), or pics that are absolute trash. ‘Pandorum’ looks like neither.
As for ‘The Messenger’ – who knows?*
The mere fact that it seems to be a film about adults in real-world situations rather than the usual Ben Foster gig of ‘genre cheese’ bodes well.
I hope it challenges him as an actor – people have a far more critical eye regarding the things they know, (getting drunk, friendships on the road, being attracted to someone), whereas nobody knows what the hell a vampire-cowboy-astronaut sprinting away from some sort of weightless space monster looks like. Well, at least not yet.
‘The Messenger’ opens October 30th in the U.S.
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*Only caveat: ‘The Messenger’ seems to be suffering from the blue/teal attack we’re currently going through at the pictures (scroll to end of post). Sigh.
The last photo in your post, freaked me out because I don't think that I've ever seen Foster laugh or smile in an actual happy (and not psychotic) sense. The Messenger looks like an interesting movie – although, it seems like it'd be a trailer that you (Jett) wouldn't like as it seems to give us a great deal of the story.
But, I do agree. He is one of today's finest actors, and also one of the key reasons I want to see Pandorum. (The other being the director, Christian Alvart, who film Antibodies, was a great thriller/mindf***.)
Re: the trailer – Mr. Muth I'm trying to re-evaluate all my values after the 'bucket of piss'/Zombieland show!
THE MESSENGER opens November 20th at the Belcourt for you Nashville folk
Interesting bit of trivia, I just read: the film's production company, Oscilloscope Pictures, is owned/founded by Beastie Boys' Adam “MCA” Yauch, who is currently dealing with cancer. (The company also has two other movies either released or coming soon.)
I realize that's getting off topic, but I just saw that and wanted to share.
Had no idea – thanks for sharing, (always have time for the Boys)
+ if you're a fan of Ben Foster look out for our interview with him in a few weeks time.
Jet et al
if you haven't already seen 'em, Foster's in over 20 eps of Six Feet Under.
well worth your time. great actor.
Thanks for the info :) as mentioned below, he'll be a guest on the show in a few weeks :)
I actually could not place him anywhere, until I saw his bio says he was in “3:10 To Yuma” – I assume he was the sidekick to Russell Crowe? If that's the same guy, he was very, very good –
Am now curious to see more.
He burned up the screen in 3:10 to Yuma
I disagree. He's not subtle enough for me. Probably be a brilliant stage actor, though.
I disagree. He's not subtle enough for me. Probably be a brilliant stage actor, though.
Can’t believe I just discovered this great actor. I’ve been a movie enthusiast (and so I thought) but never got the chance to notice him in movies. Well, the first film in which I saw him was in X-men: The last stand. I thought that he’s just perfect for the role although it seems that he just had quite a brief exposure; still, he was able to deliver such a great acting (lab scene with the father). Then I watched The Messenger DVD a week ago and totally fell in love with his character and acting. He’s just amazing. Got interested so I searched for his other films – very impressive acting in every role he plays. So much passion and I just love it when he’s in the brink of crying. You could really feel him. So naturally and sincerely done. I totally love his film Bang, Bang You’re Dead. Hope to watch his other (old) films soon.