HBO breaks Hollywood's Iraq War losing streak

While Hollywood focused on the Oscars last weekend, HBO shattered a creative community losing streak that's claimed about a dozen movie and TV projects in recent years.

From star-studded films to low-budget documentaries, efforts to tackle the ongoing war in Iraq have struggled to find an audience.

On the theatrical side, there's been "Jarhead," "Stop-Loss," "Lions for Lambs," "Redacted" and "In the Valley of Elah," among others. While networks have launched FX's "Over There" and HBO's "Alive Day Memories," "House of Saddam" and "Generation Kill."

Not all were failures, but none were considered breakout hits. Media stories frequently concluded that Americans do not want -- or are not ready -- to watch stories about the conflict.

Then, on Saturday night, HBO debuted "Taking Chance," which drew 2 million viewers and became the most-watched original movie to debut on the premium network in five years.

"Chance" stars Kevin Bacon as a military escort officer accompanying the body of a Marine corporal killed in Iraq. The based-on-a-true-story tale was sober and stark, with some scenes consisting of merely a man and a coffin. It's not exactly the story one would expect to find an audience in middle of an economic recession and ongoing war. Critics were mostly positive, but the consensus was far from universal. 

Yet not since HBO's 2004 "Something the Lord Made" have more viewers tuned in for an HBO original movie.

Though titles such as "Three Kings" found some success after the conclusion of the first Gulf War, Hollywood's repeated efforts to tell stories about the current conflict have almost entirely been met with a cold shoulder from viewers. "Chance" was likely aided by tackling the generic theme of sacrifice rather than critiquing U.S. foreign policy, and setting it's action mostly stateside rather than abroad.

"Wars in progress are usually pretty divisive and television tries to be anything but divisive," said TV historian Tim Brooks. "If it’s over long enough, you can do a 'MASH' or a 'China Beach.' I do think there’s a little window of opportunity for movies or series where the focus is clearly not on the battles, but on the soldiers who everybody wants to support."

Brooks pointed to Lifetime’s successful “Army Wives,” which is about life on a military base, but there's occasional "worried wife" moments when a spouse is serving overseas. 

Some of the pilots under consideration for next fall touch on the war as well. CBS' "Back," NBC's "Mercy" and CBS' "House Rules" are among those with characters who have returned from a tour of duty.

With the success of "Chance" and timetables being set for the withdraw of U.S. troop, Hollywood could get even bolder about tackling the subject. Iraq-themed stories will likely remain an uphill battle for filmmakers. But at least now the industry knows it's a winnable struggle.

"Taking Chance" trailer:

Comments

[serialnik]

Speaking about war series, do you have any info about this year (?) HBO - The Pacific?

[Frodo]

Generation Kill was all sorts of awesome but they ended every episode with civilian casualties that is why people got fed up

[Chris]

Just the fact that you postulate that Americans are not ready for war movies shows how out of step you are with mainstream America. The primary reason these movies fail, which you totally ignore, is that all of these movies are openly critical of our troops and/or their mission. Make a patriotic war movie and the audience will beat a path to your door. At least "Taking Chance" showed the utmost respect and honor that our fallen troops are treated with. One would think with the current fiscal climate this would be an obvious winner. But, it appears that hollywood's commitment to leftist ideology prevents them from even considering such a movie let alone making one. So, if they continue to fail, no surprise from me and millions of other Americans. There are hundreds if not thousands of examples of our troops acting heroically and carrying out the spread of freedom and democracy, but I guess those stories are to apple pie for hollywood. Oh well, they will continue to fail and wonder why.

[John]

Nobody has ever been critical of the troops. But the troops being sent to a pointless war based on lies, yes, many people have been very critical of that, and rightfully so.

[Chris]

Yeah, and just as many support the missions as well. And I beg to differ, there both Generation Kill and Jarhead made our troops look ridiculous and that is by far the exception and not the rule. I hold to my premise. Make a middle America war movie about the good we are doing and you will have a blockbuster of a movie. Now I know Hollywood, in spite of all their political posturing and rhetoric, worships the almighty dollar more than their so called values, so, one would expect more positive movies. But, on the other hand, it seems that liberals with all of their guilt, really have a suicidal death wish for themselves and their country, so i won't hold my breath waiting for them to make an economically wise choice.

[Mike]

This was an incredibly moving story. I had no idea the military took such care of our fallen soldiers. Kevin Bacon did an excellent job.

[Trent]

Sad sad but educational flick.

[CoolLoon]

I agree with Chris that honoring heroes and heroism is a much more compelling story line than trying to make war funny or a political argument. I'm not up to watching political diatribes - we get enough of that from news channels - but show me the realities of military life and how both young and mature military personnel meet every challenge with bravery, compassion, commitment, or just doing the best they can, and I'll be there glued to the TV or giant screen, probably bawling my eyes out.

[Eleanor]

This was about the most moving tribute to soldiers I have ever seen. There are no phony theatrics, it is just great cinema.

I hope Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld have the inner courage to watch... Doubt it.

[goodwork]

I agree w/Mike, Trent & Eleanor. I learned about the deep respect w/which our military branches treat their dead. I wish the Vet's Admin was as respectful of the injured. I had the same thought as I cried at the end of this Eleanor. I highly doubt Bush, Cheney, or anyone in their admin has the character or presence of mind to watch this movie & own up to their responsibility for it. Kevin Bacon & all supporting actors (however brief their roles) did amazing jobs. They should be proud of their work.

[wqweq]

Blah blah yaaawn