America, not ready yet

Rating: 5/10 (25 January 2015)

While admiring Eastwood directing in general and particularly the two great historical war movies on Ivo Jima, I've had no satisfaction in watching this biography.
Even if the real person was true hero or a troubled killing machine, or both, you're not likely to find out. Cooper delivers a 'piece of stone' two dimensional character with pathetic supporting wife by Miller. Nearly impossible to empathise these two, their interaction never gets deeper than stitched-up dialogue and empty predictable routine. Maybe they are good actors, but script and direction muffled them into stereotypes.
All other characters are just stereotyped scenery, even the little credible antagonist is not given much to go around.
Storyline is bumpy and void of purpose, a sequence of tours of duty with dull character progress, at the end of the ride events described might have taken place in two weeks, no story progress or evolution felt.
Photography, music and all other tech aspects are great as expected, sadly that does not translate into enhanced narration.
Just to be clear: war in Iraq good? Or bad ? Who cares! It should be the story of a sniper, a single man by tactical definition. It would be stupid to judge this on your moral and political scale. And yet all you get is a hollow tale with politically correct tones and dubious patriotic purpose. Do not look for catharsis here just ask for a well told biography, but you will leave empty- handed. My ignorant conclusion is that American society and film culture is not ready to examine the events portrayed. Eastwood might have his own political beliefs but until now that had never stopped him from delivering immersive storytelling. Maybe twenty years from now we will get a great film on subject. Not yet.