American Sniper

Rating: 10/10 (29 January 2015)

It's hard to review the new film, American Sniper, without mentioning, or at least briefly discussing the various controversies and differences of opinions concerning one's morals and values and the film itself. For that reason alone, I find it essential to mention these things in this review and also to explain my own thoughts on the matter as well. American Sniper, is based on the true story of Chris Kyle, who went on to serve four tours of duty in Iraq, during the war in the early 2000's and became known as one of the best and most lethal snipers of all time. The film details his accounts while on duty in Iraq, as well as his relationship and marriage to his wife, Taya, and the different effects, Kyle dealt with after his enlistment. One could say that the film is bigoted and promotes hate towards Arabs, and those during the war at that time. It is a fair criticism as the film shows scenes of intensity and violence with little, or no empathy for those being killed and almost glorifying and condoning what the Americans are doing. I am not here to say that the war following the 9/11 attacks was a good thing, or a bad thing, but I think certain sensitivities should still be kept in balance when making a film like this, even if the other side is labelled as the enemies and that is where the war itself is taking place. Another criticism was the film's pro and glorified use of weapons and war itself. The film certainly does seem to be pro war and pro American troops and from the first few minutes of the film to the end credits, it does not hide this fact. Some have said that Kyle himself and his portrayal by Bradley Cooper, makes him look like a psychopath with no empathy, or feelings towards those he is killing, or the type of job he is doing and having no remorse for it. On that part, I would have to disagree. I know little to nothing about the real Chris Kyle, other than what I just observed in this film and going by the film, I would have to say that in Cooper's performance you do see that he is bound and determined to protect the troops with him, himself and the people back home in the country he loves, but I could see glimpses of hesitation and sometimes guilt with what he was doing when the killings took on a more personal meaning and role for him, especially after he has a wife and family of his own. You see that later he hesitates and sometimes does not want to do, what he is forced to do and later these such events and the brutality and violence and deaths that he witnessed will later come back to haunt him. He is still patriotic and will not turn down his duty, but at the same time, I can not say that he always, or even ever enjoyed it, or found it to be particularly easy. Some have said that the film makes Kyle a hero and one to almost be praised, or worshipped. I can see the evidence of such remarks, but I think the main task of the filmmakers here is to show an unbiased account of Kyle and everything he went through both during and after his tour of duty. He was certainly patriotic and killed a lot of people in the line of duty, but as I mentioned above, I do not always think it was the most easiest thing for him to do and you can see where he has hesitations, doubt and even sometimes questions what he is doing after having a family and loved ones of his own makes him question life and what he is doing more. Also later when Kyle is suffering from PTSD we can certainly see that all of this has taken it's toll on him and he certainly didn't escape unaffected, or unscathed from his experiences. Simply put, if you do not agree with war and look down on it and the American troops and any glorification of war, or violence, whether you agree with my points, or not, then this film is certainly not for you and I would not go to spend money to see it at the theatre. With my own political views and ideologies, I have to admit that they do flip flop from time to time and I do not support one political party more than the other at the present moment. Sometimes, I will like what one party is doing and then totally be against the other and vice versa. Ultimately, I would say I have become cynical of politics and politicians and do not always know what to believe, or support when it comes to issues such as this. As a film, American Sniper is tightly directed with excellent writing, editing and performances. Bradley Cooper, gives a subtle performance where he doesn't show a lot of emotion on the outside, but inwardly you can often tell what is character is feeling and the struggles he is going through. Sienna Miller, is equally as good as his wife. The film is powerful and extremely well done and is certainly a film that will make you think and gives a lot of food for thought and things to debate. For that reason alone it is an excellent film and worth seeing.