American Sniper
Starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Veteran director Clint Eastwood has had his share of ups and downs when it comes to crafting films, but the 84-year old’s latest packs a transcendent punch and highlights his finest work in years. The true story of Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in US military history is fraught with triumph that ultimately ends in tragedy.
Bradley Cooper, in a career-defining role, plays the fiercely patriotic Texan Navy SEAL who served four tours in war-torn Iraq following the events of 9/11. Kyle’s intense training scenes toggle between intimate depictions of the budding relationship with his eventual wife Taya (Miller). The juxtaposition serves as effective storytelling that permeates through the entire film.
American Sniper breathlessly captures the gritty, urban warfare faced by US soldiers on the front lines but also examines the sometimes devastating psychological toll that affects the battle-weary soldiers once they return home. The subject matter is nothing new when it comes to war films but Eastwood brings something kinetic and poignant to the movie that resonates in a timely fashion.
Cooper has never been better as he absolutely nails the Texas swagger of the stoic Kyle while Sienna Miller grounds the film’s crucial emotional moments, playing the concerned wife who sees her husband slip further into withdrawn ambiguity.
Eastwood’s approach can appear heavy-handed to some and the typical jingoistic portrayal of soldiers taking out nameless villains will be criticized but American Sniper carries such brisk momentum, gripping performances and tense action, its raw onscreen power is undeniable.
