Taking Chance (2009) (TV)

Director: Ross Katz

Cast: Kevin Bacon as LtCol Mike Strobl, Tom Aldredge as Charlie Fitts, Nicholas Art as Nate Strobl (as Nicholas Reese Art), Blanche Baker as Chris Phelps, Tom Bloom as Navy Chaplain, Guy Boyd as Gary Hargrove, James Castanien as Robert Orndoff, Gordon Clapp as Tom Garrett, Mike Colter as MGySgt Demetry, Henry Coy as Marine Driver (as GySgt Henry Coy), Joel de la Fuente as Ticketing Agent, Liza Colón-Zayas as Ticketing Agent, Ann Dowd as Gretchen, Tate Ellington as A.V. Scott, Noah Fleiss as Army Sergeant

Kevin Bacon gives a restrained, compelling performance in this film
dealing with the meticulous handling of our soldiers killed in Iraq.
Every detail is described and the army is very strict about making sure
that customs and traditions are fulfilled as the loved ones are
returned to their families.

It was wonderful seeing Blanche Baker back in films after so many
years. The daughter of the legendary Carrol Baker, Blanche won a best
supporting actress Emmy over 30 years ago for the memorable "Holocaust"
television series. After following this up with a role in Robert
Redford's "The Candidate," she seemed to have dropped out of sight
after all these years.

"The mortician did the best he could. It is recommended that the body
not be shown for viewing." This line will forever live with me.

The film deals with patriotism and how a young man, apparently full of
life, died a hero in Iraq while protecting others.