Customer Reviews

Taking Chance

5 star:		(375)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I viewed this film at a pre-screening, and I left the theater deeply moved. It's a simple story made into a heartfelt film -- Marine Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl (perfectly played by Kevin Bacon) accompanies the remains of Private First Class Chance Phelps from the mortuary at Dover AFB in Delaware to his home in Wyoming.

The Marine's death in Iraq occurs in the tense first minute of the film, with viewers only hearing the radio chatter and the explosion on a black screen. The screen comes to light with PFC Phelps' remains being sent to the U.S. The care of the remains and the personal effects makes visible and gives dignity to the anonymous work at Dover AFB.

The story takes the viewer into some seldom-seen corners of America -- from airport cargo facilities to the mountain highways of Wyoming -- and shows everywhere the reverence for the fallen. When the escort gives Phelps' watch, dog tags, and wooden cross to his parents, eight days after his death, even men will feel the tears coming. Finally, as LtCol Strobl (who had not yet been to Operation Iraqi Freedom when he accompanied Phelps' remains home) thinks over the experience, there's a meditation on where duty lies for a Marine Corps officer.

Director Ross Katz, Kevin Bacon, and HBO have given us a profound film that grants us a rare look not at America's prosperity, or freedoms, or politics -- but rather America's soul.

-30-

A deeply moving story and another plus for HBO. To my mind you just don't see too many movies that have this kind of honesty. One that comes to mind was The Straight Story. Taking Chance, though, is a completely different theme dealing with death, respect, honor, patriotism, family and love. Fortunately all of this is handled in a straightforward no-nonsense way and thank goodness it was. Hollywood really doesn't have too much of a reputation for presenting a simple truth without twisting it into something else.

The story unfolds very much like a documentary I thought. Kevin Bacon plays Lt. Col. Michael Strobl as the military escort taking the body of a dead soldier home to be buried. His performance was just right as was everyone else because the story was greater than all the parts combined. Particularly rewarding to watch, while the coffin, covered by the flag, was at airports or on the highway, was the way ordinary people took it upon themselves to pay their respects to someone they didn't know but who had died for his country: for them.

I don't know if this kind of movie is awards material. I think the story, in its simplicity and honesty, puts it way above the hype, razzle-dazzle and celebrity PR nonsense that surround awards. It's just too good to be commercialized in that way. It would be wonderful if its stature was achieved by word-of-mouth alone.

See it and be moved!

I'm a Marine Mom and I found this movie very moving. It was well made and Kevin Bacon did an excellent job portraying his character. I think it showed the honor our fallen hero's receive and deserve.

THIS MOVIE WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO WATCH.I FOUND MYSELF AN EMOTIONAL WRECK WHILE VIEWING IT.
.DURING OUR SEVEN MONTH TOUR WE(OUR BATTALION)SUFFERED THE LOSS OF OVER 15 MARINES TO COMBAT AND TOO MANY WOUNDED TO REMEMBER.IN COMBAT THERE IS NO CLOSURE WITH THE PASSING OF WARRIORS.THE MISSION IS THE PRIORITY AND THATS ALL THERE IS TO IT.I COULD GO ON FOR DAYS ABOUT IT.BOTTOM LINE IS THIS FILM WAS THERAPEUTIC FOR ME AND HELPED PUT SOME CLOSURE TO THOSE WE LOST.WHEN A MARINE WAS KILLED IN COMBAT, THE MISSION CONTINUED AND IT COULD BE DAYS OR WEEKS BEFORE YOU RETURN TO THE FOB(FORWARD OPERATING BASE).WHEN YOU DID RETURN, THE FALLEN S' BELONGINGS WERE GONE AND ALL TRACES OF HIM AS WELL.JUST THE MEMORIES REMAINED AND THE NEXT PATROL.WE NEVER GOT TO SEE OR EVEN SPECULATE AS TO THE PROCESS OF RETURNING THE FALLEN WARRIOR TO HIS HOME.YOU QUICKLY BECAME A FATALIST AND LEARNED TO TURN ON AND OFF EMOTION ON COMMAND. I COULD NOT CONTROL MY EMOTION WHILE WATCHING THIS.IT JUST POURED OUT.IT TOOK SEVERAL VIEWING ATTEMPTS BEFORE I COULD ACTUALLY COMPLETE WATCHING THE FILM.KEVIN BACON'S PORTRAYAL AS A MARINE OFFICER WAS OUTSTANDING AND AN ACCOMPLISHMENT IN AND OF ITSELF.THIS FILM SHOULD BE MANDATORY VIEWING FOR EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN.IT ONLY SKIMS THE SURFACE OF RAW EMOTION, BUT DOES A GREAT JOB AT IT.I CAN'T RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH.COMBAT VETERANS MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER THE COMPANY THEY KEEP AS THEY WATCH THE FILM THOUGH, IT CAN BE ROUGH.THANK YOU.

As I sat and watched as my Marine son did 2 tours in Iraq in 2003 - 2005, I wondered about our many KIA's coming home...how would they be treated? Did other Americans even care ? Now everyone knows the sacrifices these young Marines made, and everyone knows how Marines take care of their own. More important, we know that these young men will not be forgotten. Well done, Mr. Bacon, and thank you for sharing the story, LtCol Strobl.

This movie tugs at your heart strings. It shows what happens to our fallen heros and how they make it back home to be laid to rest. Kevin Bacon plays a brillant part as a Marine Lt Col who volunteers to escort the remains of a young Marine from Dover AFB to his final resting place in MT. Mr Bacon shows definitely that he can act. You feel his dedication to the Core, his respect for the young Marine and the Marine's family, and the emotion packed feeling that one gets as he briefly encounters people along the way. A young Kevin Bacon will always be remembered for his role in FootLoose. He'll never shake that. But an older Kevin Bacon will always be remembered as the Marine Lt Col, Escort, in Taking Chance. This movie was perfectly cast and well directed. And of course, comes from Lt Col Michael R. Strobl's moving journal Taking Chance.

This movie is unlike any other military movie you'll ever see, and the fact that it's based on a true story makes it even more touching. You'll watch the entire movie through patriotic tears!!! Every American should see this movie!!

Every American should see this movie out of respect for our military and civilians who have fallen to protect us. EXCELLENT movie!

My husband and I watched this movie on HBO. We cried all the way through it. My husband was 30 years in the Marines and Air Force. Served in Vietnam. Son 22 yrs, his brother died on D.Day. my DAd in World War I,
my 3 brothers (still lLiving) in World War II.

So we are now saying best film ever!!!

My husband has watched it 3 times now. He started to watch again, but the tape didn't work that we taped on vcr.

So, I am now ordering one on Amazon.

Ruth Trippi 75
and Sam Trippi 79

this movie is recommended for all. Everytime the LTC gave a silent salute, i tear came to my eye. This movie should def be on your list to buy. it gives an accurate portrayal.