Bradley Cooper stars in “American Sniper,” a true story about Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL sniper for the military. The movie was released in theaters Jan. 16.
I know lately that this film has been taking a lot of fire in the media. I implore you do not listen to the nonsense that comes from the Internet about this film; go see it for yourself and then make your judgment.
This film is a true and brutal look at life in war and is in my opinion one of Clint Eastwood’s best films.
This time, he brings us the true story of the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.
When you are in war, there is only one thing that matters and that is the lives of yourself and your brothers. For Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, that was his mission and he would not fail.
As a sharpshooter, Kyle has amazing accuracy and eventually became known to both his troops and his enemies as “The Legend.”
After saving countless lives, the real battle came from home when he tried to be a good father and husband to his family.
Despite everything he had seen or went through across the world, Kyle served many tours and truly lived the SEAL creed, “leave no man behind,” but like with any other person who has seen bloodshed, he knew that it would not be easily forgotten.
“American Sniper” stars Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Cody Hardrict and Keir O’Donnell. The film is directed by Eastwood.
Cooper is completely unrecognizable in this film. Playing the role of Chris Kyle, Cooper gained almost 60 pounds of pure muscle and a grizzly-man like beard.
This is Cooper’s finest work as an actor. The way he deals with the character’s demons and the intensity that comes with killing threats, it is uncanny how Cooper becomes Kyle.
As Kyle’s wife, Taya, Miller plays a role of just that. She gives us a gut-wrenching and emotional performance as a woman who doesn’t know if her husband will come back alive.
Her character, however, is sadly underutilized throughout the film. She shares scenes with Cooper or by herself.
Eastwood is a gifted storyteller. He has been for decades. Giving us such great films like “Unforgiven,” “Million Dollar Baby” and “Hereafter.”
This film is another film to add to that list. Focusing mostly on the war, Eastwood is able to garner many scenes that will make you think and also want to cry.
With this ultimately being a film shaped around Kyle, Eastwood goes all out to focus on his service and the combat and not so much his life at home and the after effects. It does limit the emotional capability of Cooper’s character.
There will always be speculation on whether events are accurately portrayed in military-based films. The film looks and feels real, sometimes it is scary how so.
Whether that be the case with this film, it is possible that details were left out. I think this film is important to see and then reflect on.
For those of us who haven’t served, this film will give a hard-hitting look at what soldiers go through in combat.
I sincerely thank all men and women who have either served or are serving for your service and commitment to our country.
Story by John Gruccio, Contributing writer
Will be watching this one