Sunday, February 22, 2009

TV Worth Watching: "Taking Chance"

I was touched last night to watch a movie that I would without reservation give FIVE STARS to. It may be tough for you to find the HBO movie “Taking Chance”, but find it. It premiered last night on HBO. It is the story of the return of the body of Marine Lance Corporal Chance Phelps from Iraq after his death in 2004 while on patrol south of Baghdad. Upon Phelp’s death, Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, was assigned to be Phelp’s “handler” and accompany Phelp’s body back to Wyoming. Lt. Col Strobl wrote the script to Taking Chance based on his observations of how everyday American’s reacted to the sight of a soldier’s coffin coming home through airports. Actor Kevin Bacon plays the lead role of Lt. Col. Strobl. Taking Chance screened at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, and was a finalist for the Grand Jury prize in the drama category. This movie isn’t about politics, it’s about people. It’s not about the morality of war. It’s about one Twenty-year old American who gave his life for his country, and how that sacrifice affected others. Forget the Simpson’s reruns. Watch this. HBO got this one right. P.S. You'll need kleenex and you'll want a flag.

2 comments:

Hoskins Family said...

I saw some previews from that after Sundance...it looked great. I remember reading an article about him not to long after that time.

The Queen said...

that sounds awesome. i wonder if netflix has or will get it. we don't get HBO. :/