Legend

American Sniper

Some of the best films that have ever been made have one thing in common. They are character study films. Character study films are films that delve deep into a character’s psyche and the inner struggles he/she must overcome. One of the best character study films, in my opinion, would have to be Taxi Driver. Martin Scorsese’s classic tale of Travis Bickle, a New York City taxi driver who takes it upon himself to try and clean up the streets of New York. Scorsese takes the audience on a journey through Bickle’s mind and how he comes to the conclusion that he is the only person that can protect his city. This year Clint Eastwood  (Jersey Boys) takes us on a similar journey, but this is a trip into the mind of a Navy SEAL sniper during the Iraqi War, aptly named American Sniper.

This is the story of America’s deadliest military sniper, Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper American Hustle) and how Kyle deals with separating himself from the mission and transitioning back and forth into family life. 

I apologize that the synopsis isn’t any longer, but that is what the film really entails. Many people believe that it is another war film and it really is not. This is a look into the life of a soldier and how they coupe with returning home. The film really tries to show the audience the difficulty of this, especially for a sniper who sees their “targets” up close. I will admit that most of the film takes place in Iraq during wartime, but the film shows Kyle wearing down from the effects of all the death around him. 

Kyle’s digression in the film could not be shown as well as it is without Bradley Cooper’s amazing performance. Cooper gradually shows Kyle go from happy loving husband/father to the distant man that can’t turn off from the war. The effects of Kyle’s PTSD are even shown in Cooper’s subtle body movement throughout the film as well. Cooper starts off very loose with his movements, but toward the end of the film his body becomes very ridged and sharp. I believe that there is another person in this film that deserves a little praise along with Cooper. Sienna Miller (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) who portrays Kyle’s wife Taya. Miller gives the audience a glimpse into the world of a military wife and how the effects of war wear on not just the soldiers, but their families as well. Miller remarkably does a balancing act with her being concerned for her husband and being strong for her family as well. 

Clint Eastwood is one of the most recognized names in Hollywood. Having a great acting career has developed into an equally astounding directorial career. Eastwood honors Kyle in a way that does not commemorate him for his kills, but for the way that all he wanted to do was protect his loved ones.  On a surprising note, Eastwood learned how to film some astonishing action scenes. Not really known as an action director, Eastwood places the audience smack in the middle of the action and gives us some of the greatest war scenes ever put on film. 

If you take anything away from this review please take that this is a character study of Chris Kyle. This film does not promote the war in Iraq nor does it say it was wrong. A lot of critics out there are trying to bash the film for its liberties with history or the film’s hidden ideology. This film is to show that Kyle, though an accomplished sniper, was a human being that took pride in serving his country and his family. As I did mention, the film does show Kyle more on Tour than at home, but it is when Kyle is home that you see how powerful the side effects of death can be.

The Verdict: See in Theatres