Taking Chance
My brother is a Marine. A few months ago he saw the previews for the HBO movie Taking Chance and shot out an email to the whole Geek clan to urge us to watch it. My wires got crossed at some point, so I didn’t get to see it on its first showing, as was my intent. But I did watch it on demand last night.
The movie is about the experience of a Marine Lt. Col. (Kevin Bacon) who is suffering with a mild form of survivors guilt for not being in Iraq, while his friends are. As an outlet for that guilt, he scans the daily list of causalities reported back from Iraq. He eventually volunteers for a duty as an escort for Lance Cpl. Chance Phelps who was killed in action.
I was most impressed with the ability of the director (and perhaps the author) to make the whole thing devoid of politics. The politics was on the periphery of the main character, Lt. Col. Strobl. I think it was about right, given the subject of the film. Despite assertions to the contrary, most people in America have nothing but the utmost respect for the sacrifice and service of our military personnel.
Dover is presented in a very positive light, although the scene that is supposedly taking place 10 minutes away from Philadelphia International, definitely ain’t. There are no picket fences on 95 south of the airport.
I tried as hard as I could to keep my eyes dry throughout, but the scene that has the Colonel delivering the personal effects of Phelps to his family proved too much for my weak tear ducts.
Go watch it. Do it now. This ceremonious escort of our fallen soldiers has taken place over 4,200 times since we invaded Iraq. We could all use this sort of grounding from time to time.
Tags: Iraq
I’ve made it from Dover to Philly Int’l in ten minutes. Laws were broken though. 😉
The Mrs. saw this one and was most impressed.
I haven’t seen this yet. It’s on my list this weekend!
I’d like to see it. I’ve been hearing good things about it before your review.
Worth every minute. The care taken of our fallen soldiers is exemplary. I will be watching it again.
Too bad the Democrats want to destroy part of this solemn process for political points.
As I said before, once you have participated in this process you realize how special it is. Watching the movie is indeed important but having been involved in the process never leaves you.
I was taken to task last week for commenting on the ceremonial and military aspects of the welcoming back for the fallen. Too bad such hatred and shrillness comes so easy to so many people.
Delaware Republicans deserve Mike Protack.
Too bad such hatred and shrillness comes so easy to so many people.
Um… I’m pretty sure those sentiments were only directed at you, Mike.
Furthermore, Republicans don’t own the respect for the military. I’m with Cassandra. With comments like these I can’t wait until you run for office again.
If Protack pulls off a successful water landing we are all screwed.
Ugh…I’m totally disgusted with Mike P. today (more than usual). He’s acting like a flaming a-hole.
Yeah, I caught this last monday. I meant to watch it on the Saturday it premiered, but I had just lost a very close friend that afternoon and watching this would have been a bit too much for me to handle.
Very good job by Kevin Bacon. Hopefully this will help his career more. He needs the money since Bernie Madoff scammed him and his wife out of their money.