gripping portrayal of a legendary serviceman

Rating: Null/10 (10 March 2019)

Intense biographical war drama based on the memoirs of Chris Kyle, a U.S. Navy SEAL sniper who became the deadliest marksmen in U.S. history while serving multiple tours of duty in the Iraq War. The film traces his early days in Texas as a hunter and failed rodeo cowboy, until the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings inspire him to enlist. A dedicated serviceman, his commitment to fulfill his duty drastically affects his psyche, making it that much more difficult to maintain a regular life with his wife and children. Like many films of this genre there's likely some artistic liberties that were taken, but the story is still compelling, more for the quiet, intimate scenes where the gung-ho Kyle wrestles with his demons, rather than the battle scenes which cover more familiar ground. Eastwood's transitions and passage of time aren't especially smooth, but they're compensated for by realistic, thoughtful depictions of post-war veterans struggling to adjust to civilian life, perfectly embodied by a transformative, tour de force performance from Bradley Cooper. ***