The following was written in 2000 by the presenter of this channel:

Milla - the real - "Messenger" - (A FILM REVIEW - 2000)

What we have here is a film about motivations. Why do we do the things we do? Since it does actually answer this question and resolves this human dilemma - this fact makes it, not necessarily the best film, but nothing less than the most important film of our time, or of all time for that matter.

I'm not well read enough on Joan's history to know of its accuracy or not, but who cares, that is not the message of "The Messenger". I also don't know anything about the personal life of the writer-director Luc Besson other than he use to be married to Milla Jovovich the star of his film. I don't know how religious or spiritual he is, or even if he completely understands what he has accomplished here, but he must already be a friend of God's or well on his way to understanding or enlightenment or having his "moment" with God. What he has managed to get on film is only the answer to the age old question - what is the meaning of life ! - and with not one scintilla or trace of preachiness or religiosity - just a search for truth. His Joan wrestles with such important eternal issues till understanding, conviction, and resolution through her God.

Everybody believed in Jesus back then, but not every soul had it out with Him or had their "moment" with Him as we see Joan do in the film. There is such a wide range of opinions evident as to who Dustin Hoffman plays in this movie, from Joan's conscience to the devil. My interpretation is that Dustin played God, with, in this case, the title of, or role of, her Conscience with a capital "C". Only the Holy Spirit would have an interest in bringing one to a place, (that we see in the film), of conviction, repentance, submission and confession. He shows her (we should all be so lucky - but now with this film, we are) her true motivations of revenge, greed, joy in cruelty, and worst of all pride and she is convicted and says -"set me free". How could an all loving God expect any more from His creations, or any less. This movie is a stunning and brilliant depiction of what our Creator wants from us - transactions - and/or a relationship - our being hungry enough for truth and admitting it when we see it about ourselves and about God - in that we are screwed up and only He holds the keys of resolution (and paid the price, on the cross) for our sin dilemma. I haven't seen this relationship so brilliantly