Wonderful character development!

Good start, but then it gets ruined

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

It's 2004 as casualties in Iraq climb. Marine Lt. Col. Mike Strobl (Kevin Bacon) is a Desert Storm veteran and hasn't been back to Iraq since. He wonders if his administrative job is worthy as he lives comfortably in the States with his family. He decides to escort the body of 19 year old PFC Chance Phelps back home to Clifton, Colorado which is also his hometown.There is a power to this movie. It doesn't have much drama. There is a very small reveal but that's not its big strength. It's the powerful scenes of respect coming from the people that Strobl encounters. The act of showing returning casualties amounted to an anti-war statement for some people. This is able to show the compelling human respect without taking sides in the war.

First time seeing this, As a Navy Veteran of 10 + years I didn't get to finish the 20 year career that I had wanted to due to personal reasons. I have never felt quite right about it and always felt like I left the mission incomplete. After many years of financial struggles I finally found myself in a position a couple years ago to join the Disabled American Veterans of which I am now an Officer,The American Legion, and the VFW. I have made it now my personal mission to help Veterans in need to the best of my ability and with the help of these organizations as well. I even helped with getting our local DAV Chapter Honor Guard Unit started to pay respects to this country Veterans, (it also helped out the other organizations in the area that were lacking in membership to be able to form an Honor Guard). What I have seen at funerals over the past year has been very emotional for me and watching this film, literally just tore me apart knowing what these men go through, I am there for the final end result of their travels and having never served as an escort before I did not know all that they went through. The portrayal by Kevin Bacon and the rest of the cast during this movie deserve a sharp salute for a job well done

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.

Hollywood does get it right now and then, and this is a movie that hit it's mark. Ironic, so few know about it. Why is this? It has no CGI and pandering language and adult situations. It is just a real movie acted superbly led by Kevin Bacon. Bacon is $$ in this role. There is never a doubt he is 100% his character. Reminded me a little of his role in A Few Good Men.American Sniper was good, this is better. Director Ross Katz was brilliant. The simplest movies are the most challenging. He never played too many notes or got his own merit in the way. Ridley Scott could not have made this movie. Michael Strobl's screenplay had the same maturity. What a blessing to know your written work was taken so seriously and handled so well by both the actors and movie making team, producing cinematic magic in this one!You will turn off the DVD player and feel dignified. No empty, cotton candy feeling here. This is a deeply penetrating movie and yet not so deep and dark it is disturbing. One of my favorite scenes is watching the young boy scouts holding flags during the honor parade. These little boys are becoming men as they take part in something so much greater than their own lives. Powerful moment and so needed in our shallow, pornographic culture.