Movie Review: "Taking Chance"

Though the situation in the film is the result of war, "Taking Chance" is not a film about war. It does not take a stand for or against war. It does not even show scenes from war, which are so often glamorized on screen to seem more exhilarating than life-threatening.

But that is the truth that HBO's "Taking Chance" does not try to hide. In war, there is death. It is sad, it is unbearable, but it is the truth. Based on a true story, Kevin Bacon stars as Lt. Col. Michael Strobl. Struggling with his own decisions not to serve a tour of duty, Col. Strobl volunteers to escort the body of a fallen soldier, Chance Phelps home. What he discovers along the way is that the death of this soldier affects not only him and the soldier's family, but every single person along the way.

And what the audience gets to see is the care and respect the Marines treat a fallen soldier with. How you feel about the war is of no care or concern here. You need not wax poetic about the steps and missteps taken by the government over the course of the war. The people in this film don't care about that. Their only concern in Chance Phelps himself, and giving him the respect he so greatly deserves for losing his life to keep ours safe.

This film accomplishes that beautifully. There are no special effects, no faced-paced action scenes, no dramatic climax that unfolds to sweeping music. Each scene is quiet, resembling a documentary more than a film. Then again, the screenplay was written by the real-life Col. Strobl, so there is an honesty that is powerful and emotional, but never over-the-top. There aren't any scenes that feel like too much or not enough. Everything about "Taking Chance" is just right, even the most heart-breaking scenes, which include watching the blood be washed out of his watch, his dog-tags. Yes, this film does not hold back the agonizing truths of war. What we see on the news is nothing.

You may not be prepared for this movie, but you need to see it. You will be uncomfortable, you will probably cry (whether or not you know someone who served/is serving with probably determine the level of crying), but you have to see it to understand that, despite the conflict, despite living in a country still divided by war, we can still come together on some things. We are still compassionate, respectful people who recognize and understand the sacrifice so many soldiers have made to keep us safe.

PFC Phelps' life may have been cut short by the war, but his sacrifice, his legacy lives on in the hearts and lives of every person who took part in bringing him home after his death. And now that legacy is shared with every single person who will experience this film. And that's exactly how it should be.




"Taking Chance" premieres Saturday, February 21st at 8 p.m. on HBO.