Sniper on the roof

Rating: 7/10 (3 June 2015)

A book that was hard to ignore becomes a movie that is even harder to ignore.
It's difficult to just review this movie without acknowledging the book and the controversy that surrounds them both.
As far as I'm concerned, it would be nice if every human conflict was resolved around the negotiating table, but that is not the way of this world. As for the use of snipers, I think if the other side uses them you would be crazy not to use them yourself, and go them one better, And that is where this story fits in because it's about America's most effective sniper whose job was to protect soldiers on the ground as they fought their way through the embattled streets of Iraq.
The book had a harder edge than the movie. Chris Kyle wrote it from a personal viewpoint without much reference to the rights and wrongs of the conflict. The movie tones down some of the more disparaging descriptions of the enemy with only a passing reference to 'savages'. Although the accuracy of some sections of the book have been questioned – including a court case for libel, I have no difficulty accepting its basic truth.
The argument that erupted over the morality of sniping is an interesting one, especially in light of the history of America's armed forces. Sharpshooters were a feature of conflict in America from the colonial period right through the Civil War up to the wars of the 20th century and beyond when the term sniper became more commonly used. Seen that way, the Navy SEALS have built on the legacy, honing the skill to its ultimate level, epitomised in the abilities of warriors like Chris Kyle.
In their anger over the movie, it's interesting that some commentators have actually called Kyle a coward, although I don't recall them being as outspoken over the other famous snipers throughout history – Vasily Zaytsev at Stalingrad for example.
The movie is straightforward and polished. Bradley Cooper projects a powerful personality as Chris Kyle, and Sienna Miller complements it in the role of his wife, Taya.
I think Eastwood was right not to include a couple of scenes from the book, which would no doubt have been more contentious: the incident with the Tunisians and the beach balls for instance – it may have got laughs for the wrong reasons.
Eastwood also shows the price the military has paid by giving roles to a number of badly wounded veterans. "American Sniper" shows Eastwood's skill in creating emotion with simple scenes such as when Taya watches Kyle leave for the last time with the man who is destined to kill him.
With so much publicity, no one is likely to accidentally stumble across this movie and be offended. All things considered, other than the argument that war itself offends our humanity, "American Sniper" seems reasonably even-handed in its approach.