Directed by Clint Eastwood, American Sniper tells the story of Chris Kyle - Americas most infamous sniper, with 160 recorded kills to his name. This true story comes from Chris himself (he wrote the book from which the film is based).
American Sniper begins with a brief look at Chris' formative years, living with his mother and brother and fiercely influential father. Looking out for his younger brother from an early age, Chris is told by his Dad (in no uncertain terms) that he's a sheep-dog, here to protect the sheep from the wolves - the real evil of the world.
A leap forward in time sees Chris as a bronco rodeo rider - living the dream, but somewhat meandering through life. Keen to contribute to the country he holds dear, Chris trains to become a Navy Seal (at only thirty years of age Chris is considered old to be joining the Navy Seals)! Fully committed to the arduous training, Chris achieves his goal. Soon after he meets his wife. Coincidentally the attack on the Twin Towers happen not long after they are wed. Chris sees the 9/11 attacks as an attack on him and his own. Steadfast in his thinking, Chris vows to protect his country and his family from the, "Evil Doers".
Portrayed by a terrific Bradley Cooper, Chris' commitment to country and the cause in the Middle-East is unwavering - even after doubts among his own colleagues arise. Chris it seemed, had no room for doubt. In fact, Chris felt doubt and uncertainty was killing his men - a clear indication of his focused mind. One has to admire this level of commitment. Interestingly, it's harder to admire when one is on the receiving end of a similarly committed threat to the western world!
Chris served an incredible four tours in Iraq - the equivalent of one thousand days. Like many soldiers, Chris suffered PTSD when he returned home. Like everything else in his life, Chris was adept at working through his affliction. He was helped in the most likely of ways - by helping similarly afflicted veterans. A circular therapy if you like, which benefited all involved.
Despite the good he did, there are some questionable acts which Chris has been accused of - omitted from this particular story.
American Sniper sees Clint Eastwood on top form. This is far and away one of the best films about combat and the futility of war since Saving Private Ryan. This is a patriotic tale of one mans tour of duty, regarded by many as a hero.
In telling Chris' story we are consequently thrust into the US campaign in the Middle-East, following the oft-criticized weapons of mass destruction debacle.
The film itself has been criticised for being nothing more than a piece of propaganda - portraying the fundamentalist threat in it's simplest and most terrifying form. No doubt the book shared similar criticisms - how can a story with such huge themes and agendas be distilled by the experiences of one man?
One has to remember that American Sniper is Chris' story. One can't exactly accuse Eastwood and his team of neglecting to tell a broader tale here. Perhaps they should've called their film, "Chris Kyle: American Sniper" so as to avoid being misconstrued? Actions speak louder than defaming words of course and Chris' actions were arguably contradictory - a characteristic which is fundamentally human. In the end Chris Kyle followed orders (and to the letter) and was rightly revered by his colleagues and supporters.
Those who subscribe to a particular ideal, regarding the debacle in question and Chris' part in it (not to mention the ongoing crisis in the Middle-East), worry not. You will not leave American Sniper feeling differently. Those looking more closely however, will discover Eastwood and co have peppered their film with more than just clichéd villainy and a westernised agenda. We get a glimpse of the fundamentalist opposite to Chris, at home with his wife and infant child. Later, a young boy with a bazooka makes an independent decision to put the blasted thing back down in the dirt.
American Sniper is a film worth seeing. An important film which will undoubtedly spark debate amongst it's audience, regarding the connotations of a war fought in vain (more talk is essential people). The unjust criticisms which have befallen this project (not to mention those who have misunderstood this film as an action flick) owe much to the hypocrisy of war itself. For example, one unlikely scene in American Sniper had my heart pumping considerably faster than normal. It was a scene involving a battle-plan, on the ground in Iraq - led by military advisors and superiors and attended by the likes of Kyle and his men.
The finality of going into battle after all that training hit me like a ton of bricks. I don't know as I could do that, I thought to myself - rather them than me.
5/5
Poster image courtesy: www.apollo-aachen.de
