I watched Taking Chance this evening. The 2009 film, a true story, stars Kevin Bacon as Lt. Col. Michael Strobl as he escorts home the remains of PFC Chance Phelps. It premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and was picked up for HBO.

It’s a must-see. This isn’t a typical Hollywood film where the military is portrayed as evil or the war as moronic, or both. It is literally all about the experiences of Lt. Col. Strobl as he escorts a fallen Marine home. All the while, Americans are shown as respectful and the military as professional.

You’re not asked to question the mission’s worthiness or whether the sacrifice made by Phelps was worth it. If there’s a partisan political message in the film I missed it. It’s simply a moving historical drama worth every penny and moment of time spent during its creation.

You can buy the DVD here. It’s totally worth the money.