Taking Chance

Richard Dower

Saw this movie last night, very moving and emotional film HBO movie for TV with Kevin Bacon based on a journal by a US Marine who's job it is to escort the body of an Iraq soldier back home to his parents to be buried.

I gained alot of insight into the actual process involved and you can tell it was all very honest and accurate as to what actually happens. They show you the entire process...from the body being cleaned and dressed to the actual transportation process and the stages of the body and his escort as the they return the body home.

It's a slow paced movie which is appropriate for the content and while i left aside any notions of the right and wrong of the war, this movie shows you that regardless of anything these soldiers are human beings with families.

It's about honour and respect, respecting the process and proceadure involved of preparing the body and the process of taking him home....what surprised me was how everyone this escort met, the airport staff, people on the planes...just everyone, it struck me how respectful and saddened they all were.

They all understood the gravity of the job this man had, the fact he was escorting someone's son or daughter home...Bacon was very impressive and there were several very moving scenes.

I wouldn't go into this thinking it's pro American or pro war, it's about the millitary process of honouring the fallen and the impact that process has on everyone this soldier and his escort encounters.

5 stars.

L31mr0d

Felt twinges of US jingoism whilst watching this but overall I thought it was good. Nice to see Victor from Dollhouse getting some more work, he's about the only actor worth his salt anyway in that show.

Brimmy

Alan Tudyk and Reed Diamond would like a word with you sir.

Saw the film. Thought it was ok and above average for a made for tv movie. Not too bad.