Posted on March 5, 2009 - by Hubba

HATM’s

Ok, here’s a brand spanking new movie for you-

Taking Chance

Year: 2009

Director: Ross Katz

Starring: Kevin Bacon

Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and now showing on HBO, I have never seen anything quite like this.

The movie is based on the true story of Lt. Col. Mike Strobl’s mission to escort deceased Lance Corporal Chance Phelp’s body home to Wyoming for burial. This was a low budget movie, shot very simply, but its simplicity only adds to its charm. Whoever wrote this screenplay should be given a Purple Heart. Every character in this movie seemed believable to me, and I was astounded to find that I liked their portrayal of the people of Dubois WY.

In every movie I’ve ever seen, Hollywood’s portrayal of smalltown people has been wrong, beginning with their clothing. It is hard to pick out flaws in the wardrobe of individual characters, but as a group, they look all wrong, like Johnny Bravo meets the line dancers of the early nineties. The people in this movie looked the part.

And their lines were good too. Usually, the rednecks in movies spout Hollywood themes sprinkled with “hey y’alls” and yee haws.” These were country people at a funeral, struggling for words.

There were many things missing from the film, that at first I thought should be there. These included deeper character profiles, Chance’s face, and the ugliness of society. But I realized that they only added to the power of the story and it’s underlying message, which to me was that regardless of differences, all Americans recognize and respect a hero. Anyone who can criticize this movie is unfamiliar with the beauty of restraint.

It’s on HBO right now, go watch it!

Rating: I’m gonna break the rules and borrow half a thumb- Two thumbs up!