[Film] Taking Chance 護送錢斯

When one falls, another brings him home.

看好萊塢電影和閱讀中國作家的小說一樣，每當提及關於戰爭革命的戲碼時，神經就會不自覺地繃得很緊，不想在無意識中被荒謬乖誕的大美國或大中國主義情節給洗腦。

Taking Chance（護送錢斯）由真實故事改編，劇本改自 Michael Strobl 中校自願護送年僅19歲在伊拉克陣亡的 Chance Phelps 遺體回家這一路上的記事日記（Michael Strobl 的原稿）。

七十七分鐘線型流動的畫面，在不斷移動的狀態從Virginia、Delaware、Pennsylvania、Minnesota、Montana 到終點站Chance的家鄉Wyoming。這護送的過程，一路上所遇到的過客發現原委後，默默地以不同的方式表達對陣亡將士的敬意與對家屬的哀悼。

Taking Chance 讓我領悟到所謂儀式存在的意義，尤其是喪禮。

對於儀式，小至開學儀式到畢業典禮，大至婚喪喜慶，一直不是很認同和理解。
婚禮並不會因為排場大而婚姻更美滿幸福，也不會因為無婚禮儀式而不幸福不美滿。
參加儀式後的反感，讓我一次又一次地厭惡這繁瑣「做給別人看」的假裝做作，幾乎沒有餘地的就是討厭。

在喪禮儀式前 Michael Strobl 中校和當地老頭的這段對話，終於解開心裡疑惑很久的問題。

You've brought Chance home.
You're his witness now.
Without a witness, they just disappear.

在世俗過度包裝的繁文縟節儀式下，幾乎要遺忘逝者已矣來者可追那發自內心最真誠的道理。故事接近尾聲，隨著鏡頭流動的畫面停格靜止在 Phelps 家的信箱

I felt that as long as he was still moving, he was somehow still alive.
When they put him down in his grave, he'd stopped moving.
I didn't know Chance Phelps before he died... but today I miss him." 

*First, I want you all to know that all along the way, Chance was treated with dignity and respect and honor.

*I want you to know you do not mourn alone today. All across America, from Virginia to Delaware, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, people are thinking of you and praying for you.

*You should know that Chance has touched many people.

*"...please know that he died a hero, but more importantly, he lived a hero.