Entertainment in a Glance

Based on the real life events, Taking Chance is a heart-wrenching and inspiring story made to honor those who serve in the United States military. The film has received criticism for being non-political, which is appreciative, and being propaganda for the military, which it is not.

The film follows Lt. Col Michael Strobl (Kevin Bacon), who is a guilt-stricken Marine that works a desk job that occasionally scans the military’s casualty reports. When he comes across the name of a deceased soldier named Chance Phelps from his hometown of Clifton, Colorado, Strobl volunteers to escort his body home. Though Strobl never knew Phelps personally, he is committed to his chosen task. After he learns that Chance’s body is actually going back to his family in Wyoming, the film centers entirely of Strobl’s care and dedication to getting the fallen soldier’s body back to his loved ones.

Based off the book by the real-life Strobl and under the patient direction of veteran producer Ross Katz (In the Bedroom), Taking Chance is a film of honor, respect, and gratitude. It does not take a side in the politics on the current war in Iraq as other films have like Stop-Loss, In the Valley of Elah; this is a pro-solider film that is made for all that serve in the military. The film is very short, but effective, in which Katz intercuts Strobl’s journey with the specific military body dispensation of soldiers. This is an emotional film that is well done in an affectionate way.

Kevin Bacon is in top form as the dedicated Marine Strobl. His tactics are precise and he is consistent with his nature as a Marine. Bacon is nearly in every scene of the film, but the tiny supporting cast does well also, which includes NYPD Blue’s Gordon Clapp as an airline pilot.