Fast-paced story, nuanced performances. GRIPPING !

Rating: 10/10 (19 January 2015)

Other movies can be as good, but doubt any could be better. I marveled at the performances by Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller and Clint Eastwood's directing before finding out that the movie, Cooper, and Eastwood all were nominated. Miller should have been as well.
This is NOT just a war movie but as much a character study of a man in and out of war. You are put right in the action to feel the depth of Chris Kyle's service and dedication. Cooper's performance is nothing short of stunning: no space for over-the-top demonstrations of anger or detachment, but must be communicated in nuanced ways. At times, he comes across as a citizen in a documentary. Similarly, I thought Sienna Miller's performance the same way, as she must put us through the range of emotions at varying times. Eastwood avoids cloyingly trite performances and melodrama to let the power of the story play out.
This is NOT a glorification of war but is a tribute to man's calling. Some liberals have disparaged this movie as glorifying killing. HARDLY. Some have taken a quote--"...savages..." out of context as well. There is a lot of depth to the components of this story. You'd be best off to ignore the political posturing and let the story affect you independently of the 'framing.' In short, unbelievably well crafted and well presented.