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.

Cell Phone Conversations: Private vs. Public

Pretty much everyone has a cell phone these days. They're unavoidable and practically a necessity at this point. Heck, I recently blogged about my obsession with my new phone. I left it at home yesterday when I went to work and was going crazy without it. "What if someone texts me?" "What if I need to check my e-mail?" "What if I drive off the road in the snow on the way home?" Honestly, that last one was problem my last worry.

Needless to say, we as have grown seriously attached to our cell phones. They have become extensions of ourselves; they connect us to the people in our lives and we can't imagine having to function without them. It's hard to even recall a time before they existed, even though that time was not so long ago.

Along with the desire to always keep our cell phones near, of course, comes the obsession with needing using them constantly. Walking to the car, in the car, driving around in the car, walking to the grocery store, in the grocery store. Seriously, while you're out today, just look around. You'll see people everywhere talking away without a care in the world as to what's going on around them, or who's listening.

And that is what bugs me the most. I'll admit, I use my cell phone quite a bit. I rarely talk on my "land line;" it's pretty much useless at this point except for the occasional telemarketer. But most of my conversations are held in the privacy of my own home. If I'm out and it rings, I'll answer it, but if the conversation takes a private turn or is of a sensitive nature, I'm discreet about it. I'll say "can I call you back when I get home?" or quickly make my way to a quiet location.

Because when I'm on the phone in public, it's usually to ask a question or get some kind of information pertaining to where I am. Something like "hey, I'm at the grocery store, do we need any eggs?" That is appropriate public cell phone conversation. Discussing personal matters, such as the sordid details of a drunken hook-up, or yelling to your boyfriend about paying for your impending abortion (yes, these are actual cell phone conversations I have overheard, quite recently are not.

Please, the next time your cell phone rings when you're in public, think about where you are. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in conversation that we forget there are people around. But they are. And they can totally hear you. Try not to embarrass yourself.