Here is an intense film in the traditions of the “all-American” movie. It is an emotional rush, showing the horrors of war; it is very well made; and I highly recommend it. Directed by Clint Eastwood, it stars Bradley Cooper portraying the late great Navy SEAL sniper, Chris Kyle, the patriot acclaimed as the deadliest sniper in US military history from his four (!) tours of duty in Iraq. The film is based on Kyle’s book of the same name, and his widow had a hand in ensuring the film’s authenticity.
Personally, I was very much against the 2003 US invasion of Iraq (foreseeing it as a stupid, counter-productive, bumbling disaster), and so was director Clint Eastwood. But Clint explained his desire to direct this particular story because it so highly honored American military servicemen who believed in, and fought for, what they thought was their country’s defense against rabid enemies; and it portrays the burdens their families suffered from this “war on terror.”
Eastwood’s direction is expertly done, and Bradley Cooper’s acting is his very best yet. The film’s editing is extremely tight with no wasted moments. It is one hell of a story.
-Zenwind. .
