American Sniper

There was no murmuring while the credits rolled for "American Sniper." There was no sound of seats slamming backwards as people got up to leave. Instead, there was only silence; no one stirred for a few minutes. There was not even music that played during the credits, which created a metaphorical moment of silence in the theater. It is clear that director Clint Eastwood understands, and is passionate about, what he is doing here--paying tribute to an American hero in a gripping drama about the trials of war.

For those that don't know, "American Sniper" is a true story based on the memoir of Chris Kyle (played in the film by Bradley Cooper), the deadliest sniper in U.S. history. The film opens in the middle of Kyle's first tour, right before his first kill, but before we see the conflict play out, the film flashes back to Kyle before he enlists. It's here that we see how Kyle was brought up as a child, why he enlisted, and how he fell in love with his future wife, Taya (played by Sienna Miller). Eastwood certainly didn't have to devote time to these scenes (many other directors wouldn't), but by doing so the film is made so much better. The heart of the film is created in these scenes, primarily in the relationship between Kyle and his wife, as this will be the focus of much of the film later on. The rest of the film will follow Kyle through his four tours in Iraq as we see not only how he becomes the deadliest sniper in US history, but also how this title haunts him throughout the rest of his life. 

And that is what sets "American Sniper" apart from other war dramas from recent memory. The audience really gets to see inside the mind of Kyle as he becomes "The Legend," a nickname that other SEALs come to call him. We see how this affects him at home, how this affects his marriage, and how it affects his whole personality. Kyle never once positively reacts to being called, "The Legend." Instead it's almost as if the name is a burden to him, a constant reminder of what war has forced him to do, and also a reminder of what he could NOT do. While Kyle says that he does not regret the lives he took (as it saved the lives of many American soldiers), he is haunted by those he could not save. Even though he is incredibly good at what he does, he is kept up at night because he could not be perfect. 

All of this would not be so easily seen on screen if not for a gripping performance, but Bradley Cooper delivers in what may be his best job yet. Five years ago, when I first saw Cooper in "The Hangover," I would have not expected him to gather three Oscar nominations over the next several years, but he has proved himself to be an incredible actor capably of taking on a variety of roles. In this film he excellently portrays the tough, hardened exterior of Kyle. But more importantly, he nails the scenes when we see past the hard exterior, and into his tired and troubled mind. It is truly a performance deserving of an Oscar nomination. 

Comments have been made by certain people that "American Sniper" glorifies war and makes sniper shootings entertaining, and I cannot stress how wrong these claims are. There was never a cheer or applause when Kyle killed in the film. Instead there were only gasps, many gasps, as the theater was shocked to see the events on screen play out. The film is by no means meant to be an "action film," and it is not edited as such. Again, Eastwood knows what he is doing, and therefore he shoots and edits the film not to let us be entertained, but to provide a shocking glimpse at what these soldiers went through during the war. Kyle is haunted by the war for the rest of his life, and it greatly affects how he is even in the comfort of his own home. Does that "glorify war?" Definitely not. 

I, like so many others, walked silently out of theater that night. I was speechless after watching the story of these brave men and women, risking their lives to protect the country they loved, to protect the wives and husbands they loved, and to protect the children they loved. The incredible true story is brought to life on screen by an amazing performance by Cooper, tense cinematography and editing, and masterful directing by Clint Eastwood. Before the Oscars air next month, go see "American Sniper." You won't regret it.