Movie Review: "American Sniper"

American Sniper

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller

Rated: R for strong disturbing war violence, and language throughout including some sexual references. 

Bradley Cooper's passion project American Sniper is soon set to be the highest grossing war movie of all time.  Since the book's release, it has been surrounded by intrigue, conflict, and controversy.  Several different directors, from David O. Russell to Steven Spielberg, were set to direct the film before finally landing with Clint Eastwood.  There were a variety of issues, from Chris Kyle's death to lawsuits against the book, that took place during the film's production.  Upon it's released, the buzz has been huge, the turnout was overwhelming, and the film wound up nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.  However, when you watch the film, it's hard to understand what all the hype and controversy is about. 

It's not that Sniper is a bad film, just one that doesn't really stand out and say much.  It doesn't have the drive or dignity of war that last year's film Lone Survivor had, nor does it have the voice of caution of the Oscar winning film The Hurt Locker.  It has very little to say about the issues facing post-war veterans (though it spends some time showing them) and almost nothing about the politics of it's story, leading me to wonder if it's the same film that everyone is talking about.  What I saw was a movie chronicling Kyle's tours of action and then problems upon returning home.  The scenes move at such a quick pace that they sometimes feel more like montages than scenes.  You are brushed along from this segment of Kyle's life to the next which, after you've seen the first thirty minutes (his first full tour), you've pretty much have experienced the entire film.  The only overarching story is Kyle's quest to kill a one-dimensional enemy sniper who is so stereotypical that he actually ties a Rambo-like skull cap around his head at one point.  And don't even get me started about the baby doll used at one point in the movie.

The redemption of American Sniper is Bradley Cooper; you can tell he believed in the story, and his performance not only brings it to life, but makes you actually care about the man, himself.  He's completely engrossing, maybe more so than any other protagonist has been in a war film.  He gained 40 pounds to play Kyle, and his uncompromising performance to depict him, warts and all, is captivating.  When the credits rolled silently with the actual footage playing from Kyle's funeral, there were very few dry eyes in the theater.  However, I'm not sure it was because of the power of the movie, or just the respect that we have for service men and women and their families, who have given up so much for our country.