Taking Chance on HBO, OAD: 2/21/2009 *spoilers*

[terpfan1980]

I sat and watched it live, or almost live, as it premiered tonite on HBO. When they want to, HBO can definitely still do a great job with the original films, though given the subject matter this was one that they really couldn't afford to screw up on.

By the end my eyes had bothered me several times, and my throat had felt a few lumps. As my wife and I both said to each other, it's hard to remember how many times and how many people have been affected in the ways depicted in the film. As much as we try not to let the troops that serve be out of our minds, if we let ourselves dwell on such things it'd be awfully difficult not to be in a constant state of depression.

[TheMerk]

I saw this at Sundance last month. There wasn't a dry eye in the theater. I really enjoyed how this film, which could have been politicized, wasn't. They just made a solid movie about the care, respect and thought that goes into bringing our fallen soldiers home.

[terpfan1980]

I saw this at Sundance last month. There wasn't a dry eye in the theater. I really enjoyed how this film, which could have been politicized, wasn't. They just made a solid movie about the care, respect and thought that goes into bringing our fallen soldiers home.

Most definitely a-political, and as you said, it could have gone completely differently.


For anyone that missed it, this should repeat on Tuesday and a few times throughout the week. Definitely worth catching if you get HBO. :up:

[Legion]

I really enjoyed it. I had read the article a few years back and when I saw ad for HBO I didnt immediately connect the two.

The thing I couldnt help thinking about it is how would that journey be for an escort today, 5 years into the war. Would it impact the people along the way in the same ways? I doubt it.

[IJustLikeTivo]

My father was Army so the whole topic really hits home. I know way too many people from this conflict and earlier ones who have had that trip.

I found my house to be remarkably dusty last night.

[terpfan1980]

I really enjoyed it. I had read the article a few years back and when I saw ad for HBO I didnt immediately connect the two.

The thing I couldnt help thinking about it is how would that journey be for an escort today, 5 years into the war. Would it impact the people along the way in the same ways? I doubt it.

I kind of wonder the same thing, and think you're about right. Over time the impact and effect on everyone, especially civilians, is lessened. Not that anyone would be disrespectful, but I just doubt that many would be as touched as they would have been back in the earlier days of the wars.

That said, the events depicted in Taking Chance were from the 2004 time frame. Several years into both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and with (not trying to go political here, but I'll use the word 'political' for just a second) the political environment not terribly friendly and/or not necessarily supportive of the efforts in Iraq. Back then the surge wasn't yet coming and there was much discontent between military leaders in the field and those back in the states. That was touched on just a little in the film, but if you go beyond that we had candidates that were promising to wrap up things in Iraq quickly vs. the status quo which a lot of people felt wasn't going well.

I'd like to think that people haven't forgotten any of the efforts that are going on, or the sacrifices that have been made and continue to be made, and I'd note that we are no where near where we had been back in the Vietnam era. Hopefully we'll never see that sort of discourse again, and never see the bad treatment that many of our armed service members faced back then ever come to pass again.

[VegasVic]

Very well done. Anyone with HBO should watch it. And if you don't have HBO, rent the DVD when it comes out.

[IJustLikeTivo]

I really enjoyed it. I had read the article a few years back and when I saw ad for HBO I didnt immediately connect the two.

The thing I couldnt help thinking about it is how would that journey be for an escort today, 5 years into the war. Would it impact the people along the way in the same ways? I doubt it.

I doubt that. I don't think you ever become immune to the immediate aspects of death. The overall numbers for sure get numbing but when you see it personally, that's something different. At least I hope that's true for others since I know it is for me. But the point is interesting. By April of 2004 we had lost about 500-600 men/women. Right now we're over 4000. It would be surprising if there were no change at all. At least the trend is heavily downward.

[RGM1138]

Considering that this is on HBO, I was expecting it to have some political bent. I was pleasantly surprised. And quite moved.

I hope that HBO has a large audience for this film.

Bob

[cheerdude]

I had heard about this movie ... but didn't schedule a recording. Over the weekend, I was flipping through the channels and saw a couple of minutes of it.

Thanks to my iPhone and TiVo's site, the next available recording was schedule, despite being a couple of hundred miles away from home.

[retrodog]

I watched it Sunday night and have just a few thoughts about it...

1. Absolutely best damn movie that I've seen in years.

2. Kevin Bacon should be highly considered for an Oscar in this role.

3. The politically neutral stance they maintained was amazing and very appreciated.

4. Writing and directing was amazing, as was acting by all.

It was a tough movie to watch but well worth it. Such an honorable way that they handled the story and just an incredible way of telling it. I came away from this movie proud of my brother (and sister) Americans, appreciative of our troops for fighting for us, and just overall impressed as hell with Kevin Bacon's dedication and efforts in portraying the main character. He did an outstanding job. Every look, every expression, every word. Just amazing.

[jamesbobo]

2. Kevin Bacon should be highly considered for an Oscar in this role.


Can't happen. It was never released in theaters. He'll have to settle for an Emmy.

[retrodog]

Can't happen. It was never released in theaters. He'll have to settle for an Emmy.

Good point, but such a shame.

[Joeg180]

I found this to be very well done. I also caught the making of the movie and the circumstances behind it becoming a film. Lt. Col Stroebl was very concerned with how the family would react to the telling of this story and only did it after he received their permission.

The line about having to have long hair to be in a band cracked me up (during the ride from Dover to Philadelphia).