“American Sniper” is one of those movies that leaves audiences speechless, and that’s exactly what happened both times I saw it opening weekend. That kind of effect is rare, especially in today’s culture.
In the same vein as films such as “Saving Private Ryan” and “Black Hawk Down,” “American Sniper” delivers relentless, brutal war violence for the bulk of its two-hour running time. Based on a true story, the film blends both fact and mythology, making for an exhilarating cinematic experience.
Bradley Cooper stars as the titular protagonist Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL who, over the course of four tours in Iraq, acquires a reputation as one of the deadliest snipers in the United States Military. In addition to the terrorists he guns down, Kyle is also responsible for taking the lives of women and children.
When Kyle comes home from the war, he is unable to readjust to a life of normalcy and is compelled to return to war. His life as a soldier takes a toll on his marriage and ultimately his state of mind.
As gritty as the battle sequences are, there’s just as much emotion displayed in the interactions between Kyle and his wife Taya (Sienna Miller). One scene features her telling him, “I need you to be human again!” This kind of internal conflict is prevalent throughout.
Director Clint Eastwood combines aspects of his earlier films with those of more recent ones such as “Million Dollar Baby” and “Gran Torino.” While he presents Kyle as a larger-than-life warrior much like the gunslingers he and John Wayne used to play in classic westerns, he spends just as much time delving into more realist themes.
Early on in the film, Kyle’s father sits him and his younger brother down and preaches about the nature of good and evil. Yet the more time he’s at war, the more he questions how black and white things are. Making life and death decisions turns out to be harder than he imagined.
Cooper proves truly deserving of his Oscar nomination for Best Actor in his portrayal of Kyle. Not only does he nail the Texas accent, but his performance presents a character and not a caricature. Despite his unmatched fighting skills and reputation as a “legend” among his fellow soldiers, Kyle still has faults and complexities that Eastwood and Cooper do not hesitate to explore.
Likewise, screenwriter Jason Hall captures the reality of war in addition to the internal struggles Kyle deals with. His dialogue is crisp, realistic and made all the better by the film’s cast. The juxtaposition between Kyle’s time at war and his life back home is especially well executed. It’s as if the character feels more at home on the battlefield than he does with his wife and kids.
Additionally, the sound crew deserves true recognition for making viewers feel as if they really are in the midst of a war zone. Whether you see the movie in IMAX or a standard theater, the sounds of rapid gunfire and grenade blasts will no doubt puncture your hearing.
Since Eastwood’s last film, the uninspiring Broadway musical “Jersey Boys,” it’s refreshing to once again see him tackle a story much more in conjunction with his usual line of work. “American Sniper” is a reflection of the idea of the American hero, combined with the grittiness of modern day war films. It’s hard-hitting, well-acted, well-produced and, Oscar nominations aside, well-deserving of at least one viewing.
