The story of American Sniper is absolutely mesmerizing. It seems almost unbelievable, but it is true. It has a little of everything, from drama to exciting scenes to real, genuine pathos. It focuses not just on war, but the consequences of it as well. And all of it was perfectly realized through Bradley Cooper, who is rapidly becoming one of the best actors out there.
First the story: it focuses on the life of Chris Kyle, who as the movie taglines have said, is credited with being the most lethal sniper in US military history. It starts briefly with his childhood with his father dinstilling to him that there are three kinds of people: sheep who need protection, wolves who prey on them, and sheepdogs who could be wolves, but use their strength to protect the sheep. His father admonishes him and his brother to never become a wolf, but to protect those who can't protect themselves. This philosophy has a profound effect on Kyle for the rest of his life and the choices he makes, and is a running theme throughout the movie. After the Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, the former rodeo-bronco rider has a Pearl Harbor moment and enlists in the Navy to become a SEAL...at 30. By comparison, most guys become SEALs in their early 20s. This alone is a pretty amazing feat. Just after he gets married to his wife (Sienna Miller), the 9/11 attacks happen and he is mobilized to Iraq for four tours. This would make an interesting film all its own. But where the movie shines is that it focuses just as much attention on the issues coming back home and the onset of his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The movie makes it very clear that he never really came home until he confronts the underlying psychological issues that caused it. It also focuses on his work with other returning vets who also have PTSD, further returning us to his instinct to help those in need. The ending is all the more tragic as it was another vet with PTSD who would kill Kyle as he was trying to help him.
I have said before that the best war movies are also anti-war films. This one is no exception. What makes this film a cut above the others is that while it is exciting in parts as war movies tend to be, it never loses sight of the fact of the incredible damage they wreak on all involved. In this case, it focuses on the psychological problems after the war is over. We are led to witness Kyle's steady erosion of his soul, bit by bit, and the horrible toll it takes on him and everyone around him. Ultimately, we also see he is one of the lucky ones who was able to deal with the demons and moving on the road to restoring his redemption. Other films have also dealt with these issues from The Best Years of Our Lives to Coming Home, to Born on the Fourth of July, to yes, even First Blood. As good as all of these movies are, they tend to be forgotten until the next war, and this is why movies like American Sniper need to continue to be made. The war doesn't stop after the last shot is fired, and I believe we, as a nation, have a moral obligation to our vets to help them after they have been wounded. Movies like this remind us of that toll and hopefully will stir others to help.
I almost took a half star off due to the semi-cliche ending where we spend five minutes on Kyle saying goodbye to his family on the day he will be killed. This was a little over-sensationalized Hollywood moment that makes us say, "Okay, film's about to end," and is a little sacchriney compared to the very upfront tones of the rest of the movie. It pulled me out at the critical denoument and cheapens the ending a little, in my opinion. But when compared to the rest of the movie, it's too nitpicky. Cooper is amazing as we see his slow descent into hyper-awareness of everything happening around him and not being able to do anything about it. It seems to me his PTSD resolves itself a little too abruptly, but I have been led to understand that it can happen abruptly when the person confronts the issue and resolves it in their mind in their own way. I cannot recommend this film highly enough. Go see it ASAP.
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