Moving and thought provoking

Rating: 10/10 (19 January 2015)

19 January 2015 Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - American Sniper. Moving, nerve wracking, sadness.........just some of the many emotions I felt whilst watching this film. Hollywood and the film industry highlight our social, economic and warfare history throughout the ages, if this film was made 20 or 30 years ago it would be the West against the Russians or the Eastern Europeans, but it's not and the enemy is in Iraq. This is the true story brought to the big screen, of Chris Kyle the man reputed to be the most lethal sniper in America's history, causing controversy over whether he was a true patriot or not. What I personally gained from this film (and I don't know whether it is correct or not) was that this was a man who wanted to defend his country regardless of who the foe was and that he would do what it took to keep those he loved safe. It was a very thought provoking look at one military figure and how he and his family dealt with the issues involved with killing people for a living. It also highlights the second family that the serving and ex military have and how hard they fight for each other. Whichever side you are on, the ones left at home have to deal with just the same issues of isolation, abandonment, and fear in equal measure with love, security and family values. Clint Eastwood has brought this story to our screens with an even mix of adrenaline and compassion, controversy aside I think this is a very good example of the modern war film. Not for everyone I'm sure, and this was one of the few evenings that everyone left the theatre in silence.