Very deficient movie
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barbosa-vicki — 15 years ago(June 05, 2010 11:44 PM)
I generally like movies with plenty of action and conflict, and I understand what the OP is saying. But this movie has a subtle, thought-provoking subtext underlying the apparently simple actions and travel. Putting oneself into the mind of the officer, you can feel some of his reactions and feelings, and it becomes very powerful. Kevin Bacon is no mean actor, and does a good job portraying the appreciation of the respect accorded to both him and PFC Phelps, his conflicted feelings over his own role, and also his coming to appreciate the man he was escorting.
I never cry at movies, but found myself shedding tears at this one. There was action and conflict, but it was something you have to imagine for yourself, from the clues presented. And it was good in that it helps us appreciate even more the sacrifices of our servicemen and women no matter what we may think of the war, we are pretty well united in support for them. -
Sproketer — 15 years ago(June 08, 2010 10:11 PM)
It's about time a film was made like this that wasn't propaganda. It wasn't a pro-war or anti-war film. It wasn't a movie made to make a BIG STATEMENT. It was a film made to simply and respectfully show what Lt.Col. Mike Strobl saw and felt. It worked in a very simple and moving way. It didn't need character development other than Strobl's. It didn't need flashbacks showing Chance Phelps alive and what happened in Iraq.
It spoke volumes about many things, but didn't beat you over the head with it, but spoke it clearly and economically. As to the uni-dimensionality of the characters, the kid who drove Strobl said he didn't understand why our country was in Iraq, and told how guys he knew had died or were injured, and said he had to do something.
The soundtrack, since you mentioned it, was far from blatant, emotional, or manipulative. As a matter of fact, I barely recall its being there. -
jdubhua — 15 years ago(July 12, 2010 01:08 PM)
The OP's original review of this movie is a text book example of someone who has completely misunderstood the movie and simply did not get the point at all. This is what happens when someone tries way too hard to force himself to sound really intellectual and objective, and then just ends up betraying a glaring lack of understanding about the subject in question. The whole things was sounding overly pretentious and pompous from the beginning, but when I read his bit about how the soundtrack was emotionally manipulative and ubiquitous and slow paced I just simply could no longer take it seriously. The soundtrack was barely even there for 90% of the movie so the only thing it could justifiably be called is overly sparse, not manipulative.
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imdb-20-fcasparx — 13 years ago(May 05, 2012 07:17 PM)
You barely recall the soundtrack being there? In my book that shows what a well done piece of propaganda that film is.
And yes, it was neither a pro-, nor an anti-war film. But it was certainly pro-USMC, pro-heroism in the face of tragedy.
I am not surprised that this film had all the support of the US-military. This in a time were documentary pictures of dead US-soldiers were completely supressed.
I am all for a democratic society that respects it's fallen fighters - and the living. And shows that respect. But not in a sheepish way, as was so common after 9/11.
Iraq 2003 was and is a total disaster. Hussein had no WMD any more. Locally, Iraq was a power to reckon with, balancing Iran. Now Iraq's beep leadership is bonding with Iran, and vice versa, shifting the local power balance very much towards Iran. Iraq 2003 was probably the worst move that the Bush government did. Except cashflow-wise for Dick Cheney and his friends, of course. -
TanteWaileka — 13 years ago(May 27, 2012 02:45 PM)
you don't know anything about what was or was not found in Iraq. I worked on the JACADS project and have family members very high up in the USA military.
Did it not occur to you that WMD's do not have to be nuclear weapons but can be chemical weapons? There were WMDs in Iraq, they are now in Northern Canada (storage) it's been a while, so I think it is 'okay' to say that. It's probably public knowledge by now.
How do you think this was 'pro' USMC? It was not pro or con anything, but life 'as it is'.
Do you think it is 'respectful' to show pictures of dead soldiers? as was done during the Vietnam war? I think you do not understand much.
Life is a journey not a destination. Fear nothing. -
RobBase086-1 — 15 years ago(July 14, 2010 10:37 AM)
Well this movie was based on a true story about a Marine who gave his life for his country and his buddies as well. I loved the movie and there were points during the film where I teared up because it was very sad to watch.
I learned how a fellow brother comes home and how well he/or she is taken care of by those who serve along side us. I would love to own a copy of this movie for my collection to watch anytime.
USA UP ALL NIGHT petition!
www.petitiononline.com/moviefan/petition.html -
peterz95 — 12 years ago(June 30, 2013 09:01 PM)
The movie takes place over a matter of days, hours even, obviously you've never buried anyone, not a lot of growth at the time. The story, if you'd stopped being deficient of a developed character yourself and looked into it, actually happen to the LTC/Bacon character. The story is about how those he encountered REACTED to the Marine in the casket. Those who agreed and supported your OP are just as lame mentally as you are.
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Moon_and_New_York_City — 11 years ago(March 17, 2015 06:46 PM)
I wanted to love this movie, I thought for sure I would love this movie.
First off, its HBO Films for crying out loud and they rarely if ever put out a dud. Then there's all those EMMY nominations and the SAG Award for Kevin Bacon.
So I checked it out from the library and watched it tonight and all I can say is - what a major disappointment. I mean - where is the dramatic narrative? The character arc? The inciting incident? All those things we learn in screenwriting school required to make a good movie!
NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING, happens in this movie. The title says it all. Kevin Bacon takes Chance home to his family. The End.
I gave it a six stars out of respect for the Marines, but it was hollow and dry and emotionally stagnant.
I would never watch it again.
the best that you can do is fall in love