bobhelms
My first exposure to this movie years ago was the HBO commercial for it, and I'll be 100% honest: My expectations, knowing HBO's general political slant, were that it would be a twisted political movie in some way. I was 100% wrong. I watched this with my wife at the time, she was a former Marine who had been out for 2 years, I was still in the military. The movie doesn't really build up speed, it does not have a dramatic crescendo of action with a dazzling apex. The build up is technical, through the process of a service member who dies in combat, goes step by step, of what it takes to get the deceased back to their family. Kevin Bacon is good. No, he is VERY good. He takes on the role with the utmost reverence. The tiny nuances that were correct (That's "Marine" when he is called a "Soldier") show that there must have been at least one very good technical advisor on hand for the filming. For all my time in the military, I still learned a few new procedures that I did not know existed (and hopefully won't ever have to find out, the "slow salute" when rendering honors for the deceased as they are de-boarded from the plane).You may be able to watch the entire movie without... getting "something in your eye", I wasn't able to. Two scenes in particular: As the casket is transported in the hearse, and the lights on the cars begin to come on, one by one... and even more so, the young Army SGT, who is on board escorting a separate deceased service member home, Bacon's character asks him "Sergeant, did you know the deceased?" and the reply "Yes Sir, he was my brother". They nailed it, absolutely nailed it, it caught my breath in my throat, I remember looking over to my wife and both of us were pretty filmy eyed, a definitive moment. You will see a lot of reviews that unfortunately entirely miss the point of the movie. It is sad that there are those who believe that, unless a movie dives headlong into the political cess pool that surrounds war, unless someone is made the villain, then a movie just doesn't cut it. Others simply don't understand, they find the movie boring or without any necessary action/drama needed to give the flick a positive rating. Believe me, there is astounding drama, IF you have lived within these boots especially, or have had a loved one, son, husband, sister, mother, aunt, uncle, deployed. I love the movie, I have watched it probably half a dozen times, I try to catch it at least once every year or two. If I ever do meet Kevin Bacon, I'll likely have some questions, but I feel like I might apologize... I was so ready to be disgusted by this movie before I saw it, and I can't believe how wrong I was about both his performance and about HBO's intent. Astoundingly good movie.
Man Ly
A must see underrated movie. Incredibly moving! Powerful acting and drama. Based on real-life events makes it even more introspective. If you want to know what happens after someone pays the ultimate sacrifice, this is the movie to watch. I know it won a Golden Globe, but this is a story that deserves more!
digitalbeachbum
I understand how some people completely reject war but this isn't a movie about war but a story about a man, a Marine, who feels guilt for taking an office job rather than go out on another combat tour. On the other end, you have a young Marine who died in combat and deserved to be treated with such care and attention. It is the relationship between these two characters that I believe is unlike any other movie I've ever seen. It is no wonder why this movie never made it out to the general public. It was kept quiet and because it would have made people second guess the war effort. Not that the director deliberately created as so, but when the public finally faced the facts of the war they began to wane on support of it. Even now, this movie hits home after twelve years of LCP Phelps's death. Get your tissues ready.
sales-461-539359
Not many movies show what's it really like to be in the military and the respect that the members have for their country, their uniform, and for each other. Then their is the total respect for the fallen. Great movie, very moving, and a must see for every American. I was in the military and worked for the armed services for 40 years and there are many of the little things that I didn't know when fallen members are transported home. Keven Bacon is perfect for his role, and Chance's family must have been extras we perfect as well. Really had the look, feel, and personalities of the people of Montana/Wyoming area of our country.
