I hope that you've been able to catch the superb HBO original film Taking Chance, which premiered last Saturday night. It's a quiet, moving and sober tale -- based on a true story -- about Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl, USMC, who accompanied the body of fallen Marine Lance Corporal Chance Phelps from Iraq back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming, in 2004.
Kevin Bacon gives a tight and intelligent performance as Strobl, who 
originally wrote in his journal about his experiences escorting Phelps' remains. Later, when his writings became public, the article was widely circulated around the internet and read by myriads of people who were stirred by Chance Phelps' journey home.
originally wrote in his journal about his experiences escorting Phelps' remains. Later, when his writings became public, the article was widely circulated around the internet and read by myriads of people who were stirred by Chance Phelps' journey home. HBO has done a wonderful job in transferring it to the screen, and I highly recommend visiting their extensive website for Taking Chance to read the whole story behind this important movie.
Taking Chance airs many more times over the next few weeks; check the front page of the movie's website to go to the entire schedule.
4 comments:
Thank you so much for the heads up for this remarkable HBO movie Lisa. I watched it tonight and found it thoughtful, dignified, straight forward and entirely unsentimental. Nevertheless, I don't think I've ever been so completely moved by a made for television movie. I cried non-stop from start to finish. Keven Bacon's performance was understated and heartbreaking. I am very impressed and grateful to everyone associated with this production. Semper Fi, HBO. Very, very well done.
I watched it again last night, too, and am so impressed with it. Tremendously moving and yet, as you said, unsentimental, but in the best way. The truth doesn't need maudlin touches to give it impact.
I hope everyone watches this -- it transcends politics completely and directly hits the human heart.
You might also like to check out some other reviews of the movie, via MetaCritic, here:
http://www.metacritic.com/tv/
shows/takingchance?part=rss#users
Most seem to have gotten it, and I can barely fathom that some found it boring. It was utterly riveting, start to finish.
Since watching the movie last night I have thought about it continuously. Many of the most touching moments involved the simple and spontaneous kindness of ordinary people (on the plane flight, alongside the roads)who stopped during their busy lives to honor a fallen soldier. It's that kind of heartfelt compassion that makes me so proud of the American people. As a frequent business traveler, I've been on many flights where the pilot lets the passengers know that they were carrying Iraq veterans home on leave. Every time this has happened, the entire cabin fills with applause. I am going to recommend this movie to everyone I know.
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