Taking Chance
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Movie Reviews of Taking Chance
Movie Review: Outstanding witness, and perfectly under-stated in every way
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't know why I hadn't even heard of this movie until a few days ago. That evening I put it at the top of my NetFlix list. After watching it only twice (so far), I feel like the story of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps (and everyone around it) is written permanently into my soul. I'm retired Air Force, latter Vietnam era to November 1991, and there was nothing in this movie that disappointed me in the least. I "knew" about the Dover Mortuary, from somewhere in the fog of my service years, but I really didn't "know". I'm very appreciative that the writers opened those doors wide, for all of us.
I thought Kevin Bacon was brilliant in understatement, just as emotion is often understated on the public face of the US Armed Forces. I also thought Bacon did an excellent job of suppressing the sense of guilt that Lt Col Strobl had held quietly within himself, not fully revealed until later in the story. In fact, for that reason I appreciated Bacon's acting even more in the second viewing.
In truth, I might have thought some of the civilians' reactions might have been a little overdone in the movie, had it not been for my own personal experiences in the weeks following Desert Storm: Whenever I stopped at a gas station or grocery on the way home from work, in uniform, total strangers would nod, smile, or even wave from across the parking lot. As a veteran of the "darkness" of the Vietnam era, I can't even begin to say how good that made me feel. So even before I watched this movie, I already had a sense of what our countrymen really think about their servicemen. The spirit of the average American should never be underestimated.
I'm sure that's why this movie left me practically teary-eyed from the first 10 minutes -- a certain amount of anticipation, soon justified by evidence of the same unity of spirit that I had witnessed at quick-stops in Florida in 1991 -- the "glue" that has sustained America as the greatest country in the world: It's not the warriors who wear the uniforms, it's all of us together. I think this movie made that statement in spades.
For skeptics, I might recommend watching the special feature "Bearing Witness" first, especially the interviews with the members of Lance Corporal Phelps' unit. Then maybe the genuineness of the story will come through.
I could say a lot more that a hundred others have already said. Just this much more: If you have the tiniest iota of American spirit anywhere in your bones, DON'T MISS THIS MOVIE.
Movie Review: Honor and Respect
Summary: 5 Stars
Slightly before dawn on a cold April morning in Dubois, Wyoming, two United States Marines knock on the door of the Phelps family. Their message: Your son was killed in action in Iraq.
"Taking Chance" is an unusual movie. This film documents the real life story of Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl escorting the body of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, from the U.S. Military overseas mortuary reception center in Dover Air Force Base to the site of his burial service in rural Wyoming.
LTC Strobl volunteered for the duty when he noticed that Chance was born in his hometown of Clifton Colorado (a suburb of Grand Junction, Colorado, also my hometown). Colonel Strobl decided this action was the least he could do for a man from his hometown.
"Taking Chance", written from the journal LTC Strobl kept on his journey, brilliantly presents the reactions of many individuals who witnessed Strobl's activity during his trip, as well as Chance's family and friends in Dubois. As Strobl carefully escorts, honors, and salutes Chance's remains, observers join with their own actions of respect and honor. The caring and patriotic response was sincere and heartfelt.
The movie shows amazing attention to detail from the handling of the body in the combat zone, through transport to his hometown. "Taking Chance" is truly impressive in the exquisite detail of the careful preparation of the remains, from cleaning battle debris from every part of the body, careful ironing of his uniform, polishing of the belt buckle, and buttons, to checking and placing all medals and ribbons on his uniform. All these actions are preformed with respect and careful love of Nation, and the Marine.
While on active duty I served several times as a Causality Assistance Officer. Although I lead several grave-site performances, and once was tasked as notification officer, who informs a family of their loss, I was unaware of the intimate care for the body itself. This movie paints a wonderful picture of mortuary assistants preparing the remains for burial.
"Taking Chance" is a superb movie that gives great esteem to our war casualties and to our Armed Forces. I believe that this is a film that all Americans should see as it show the price some of our families pay for the defense of our nation's policies. I highly recommend this movie.
Movie Review: Paying Tribute to Those Who Died for Our Freedom
Summary: 5 Stars
I have seen a lot of movies in my time, but I've never seen one like this one. This movie takes a look inside something that most of us never think anything about: what happens when a US military service member is killed in battle.
I'm sure that many of you have seen the pictures of the caskets as they come into Andrews Airforce Base in Dover, Delaware. It is a sobering reminder of what happens when a country is at war.
The question is, what happens to those caskets after they come in? This movie answers all of those questions, and it does it in a very moving way.
The story is based on an essay written by LTC (Retired) Mike Strobl. Strobl volunteered in 2004 to escort the remains of a young man killed in Iraq.
This is about Strobl's personal journey. Strobl is working at Quantico, Virginia as a manpower-deployment analyst. He feels guilty because although he served in the first Gulf War, he hasn't deployed overseas this time. He volunteers to escort the remains of a young marine from his hometown.
The young man he escorted was Chance Phelps, a marine killed in the April 2004 surge, one of the bloodiest parts of the war. Although Strobl doesn't know Phelps, he wants to do something to honor this young marine because they're from the same hometown.
What I liked the most about this movie is that it gives a rare glimpse into what really happens behind the scenes when a US service member dies. Each set of remains is treated with the utmost respect. Service members are carefully prepared for burial, and they are buried in a perfectly prepared uniform regardless of whether the service member is viewed during the funeral or not.
I have to say I cried. As a veteran, these are my brothers and sisters who are dying. As a parent, this could have been my child.
By the end of the movie I felt like I knew the people in this story, who they really are/were, and what their lives were really like.
Regardless of your feelings on the war, this movie is a reminder of the high cost of war, and what our service members have done for us. It is a relief that at least in death we are able to render them a type of respect they might not have received in life.
This movie is not to be missed.
Movie Review: Do Not Miss This
Summary: 5 Stars
I am not a person that goes to the movie houses. I have been 6 times in the last 25 years and disappointed twice because of anti-American themes. Hollywood is filled with liars, anti-Americans and other people I do not like. I will not support anyone who wants to destroy my country by distortions, attack people they do not agree with or lie about our freedoms. I do not like nor appreciate their deviant descriptions of the country I love. If they hate our way of life so much that they must make films supporting that hatred then I suggest they move to another country such as China and experience life under that regime. There is more to life than car chases, unnecessary violence, special effects and glorification of hating America. I know we have problems in our nation but they can be resolved without taking from those working hard to support their families and giving to those who don't or by promoting hatred between our citizens.
Having said that I saw an ad for this film and assumed immediately it would be another insult to our brave men and women who are in harm's way. While visiting a friend he told me about the film and based on his recommendation I obtained the DVD. While watching the film I thought why can't all movies be made this way. This movie did not have any violence, four letter words and even left out nudity. The movie did show that America is a nation of appreciation, concern for our fellow Americans and others plus real America is the working person from all over our great country.
The film is a tear jerking movie because the subject matter was the death and subsequent honor given to a brave soldier killed while serving his country. The subject was handled with concern for the family of this young man and showed respect for those who serve. I applaud the producers and especially the director, Mr. Katz, for their devotion to the subject in the film. The actor, Kevin Bacon, did an excellent job in his portrayal of the story teller. This film is neither a documentary or a docudrama. It is a story of an American Marine who gave his life serving the country he loved and how he touched the lives of those who knew him. I would have been proud to call him my friend.
Movie Review: A Must SeeI have never written a review for a movie before, but
Summary: 5 Stars
I have never written a review for a movie before, but feel compelled to do so after seeing this movie. I had heard about the movie and thought it sounded "interesting", but not having HBO at home, had not been able to see it. While visiting with a friend yesterday, the opportunity presented itself for me to watch it.
After the first 10 minutes of watching, I informed my friend that chances were I was going to cry and I was just giving them "fair warning". It was only a little lie, as I was already crying. This movie is everything you have read in the other reviews. It's touching, powerful, poignant, honest, sad and one of the best movies I have ever seen. Yes, I cried through the whole movie, and was not ashamed of the tears.
I think that every single American citizen needs (not should, but NEEDS) to see this movie. Everyday, we are told about the number of military personnel lost in Irag, Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc. After a while, hearing this information becomes something that we really don't hear. It's just another piece of news and unless it effects you directly, it probably goes in one ear and out the other. This movie kind of slaps you in the face and reminds you that these numbers are real people - maybe not your friends, family, lovers, neighbors, but they are those things to other people. And I think we all need to remember that, because one day, it could be you waiting on a loved one being escorted home.
Kevin Bacon did a tremendous job in this movie. His emotion, dignity and respect were portrayed so eloquently. But his "questioning of authority" was really an eye-opener. I think a lot of us assume that all military personnel are fully 100% in agreement with what they are doing and why they are doing it. It was an interesting concept to think that maybe some of them also question the reasons "why?", but yet continue on with their "jobs".
All in all, I would recommend this to everyone. As I said earlier, I feel that it is a NEED to see movie, regardless of what position you take on war in general. This is not so much about war, but about the human element of the the ones that "gave all".