Director: Clint Eastwood
By Alex Watson
The life of US Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle was one like no other- in four tours of duty in Iraq he amassed a record 161 confirmed kills and became a legend within the ranks. His reputation was so notable that he was dubbed 'The Devil Of Ramadi' and had a high bounty put on his head by the enemy! Clint Eastwood this week brings his tale to life in American Sniper. Recently this picture earned over six Oscar nominations and it appears this will one of Clint's finest offerings in some time.
Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) is a man who has patriotically enlisted as a Navy SEAL, this film tells the story of his marriage to his wife Taya (Sienna Miller) his notorious but decorated tours of duty in the Iraq war where became a legend on both sides of the line. But also it documents his breakdown after returning home from duty and his struggle to adjust back to civilian life.
After some rather indifferent efforts of late, American Sniper is a glorious return to form for Clint Eastwood. The story of Kyle feels tailor made for his direction and through this a hard hitting psychological feel is brought through. From an early point of combat, the pressures and trauma's that come with each kill are firmly printed. In his first kill, Chris has to judge whether or not to kill a mother and son team that may or not be carrying explosives- Eastwood here cranks up the tension to almost unbearable levels.
From an early age in his tough Texas upbringing, Kyle is taught by his father to be tough in the world and this is something he will forever carry with him. Impressively Kyle is not made out to be a hero and Eastwood never seeks to glorify his actions. The burden of guilt for each life that he fails to save wears heavily on his mental state. His relationship with Taya is one that although under explored, adds a great source of human emotion and strain. Each time her beloved man returns home, he is a shadow his former self and his eventually breakdown threatens to push things over overboard.
The pressure that comes with his job is brought forward in such a measured pace that it reflects the ice cold nerves that Kyle held. Each time he picks off insurgents on rooftops or on the street, his desired to protect his men from the enemy is clear cut. One scene sees him taking a call from home when a lone boy with an RPG enters his gun sight! But the one problem is that he cannot break free of the thrill of combat where you can feel "the lightning in your bones" as a result of his once happy home life will suffer greatly.
Kyle's mission to single handedly engage the infamous drill killing crime lord known as 'The Butcher' gives the movie a thrilling centre piece. Each time he evades his grasp you can feel his desire increase. One of the movie's most thrilling scenes will a one on one show down between Kyle and the equally skilled sniper 'Mustafa' where his over eagerness will result in his team by out numbered by insurgents in the midst of a sandstorm!
Bradley Cooper expertly rings in what is undoubtedly his strongest performance so far in his career. As Chris Kyle he is a simple family man who loves his country, but through Cooper's excellent range of intensity he brings forward the complexity to his character and his addiction to war and the thrill that comes with it. Cooper is fast becoming one of the most able actors in Hollywood and under Eastwood he has earned his Best Actor nomination at this year's Oscars.
American Sniper is not only one of Clint Eastwood's strongest 21st century efforts, but already one of this year's most accomplished and finest pieces of work. It may not have its name under the envelopes at the main prize events, but it is still an impassioned and genuine movie not only about war but about a man with an incredible tale.
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