Taking Chance (2007/HBO DVD)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: B-     Cable Telefilm: B-

 

 

Kevin Bacon may have set a recent record for playing official/military types, but Ross Katz’s Taking Chance (2007) is a surprise.  It may be short, it may be some of what we have seen before, it may be part of a cycle of recent military films that reflect on the current military state of things, but it is a surprisingly effective story that tells us of one man lost and another man who finds himself again by following his beliefs and bringing back a solider who lost his life too soon.

 

Made as the second Bush White House leveled the highest restrictions in decades to stop the press from reporting, filming, taping or otherwise presenting solid journalism on those being lost, as well as how many, this was meant to give a new voice to that situation.  Now that the Obama Administration has lifted these restrictions so those who enlist are not being lied to in advance, it becomes a sad, ironic footnote to one of the ugliest eras in U.S. history.  Well acted, written and directed all around, it is another winner for HBO.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 x 1 image is decent throughout, though some footage is analog video and the mix has a sometimes documentary effect.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is not bad, but not dynamic either; a good recording with sonic limits.  Extras include deleted scenes, making of featurette Bearing Witness, From Script To Screen featurette and a look at The Real Chance Phelps.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo