February 2 marked two years since Chris Kyle’s passing. “American Sniper” tells the story of the late Chris Kyle; a tale that is timely and yet timeless in the telling of a hero who is shell shocked. I’d never heard such silence during movie credits.
Acting
Bradley Cooper is phenomenal as Chris Kyle. Cooper gained 30 pounds for the role, and it’s evident that he is committed to the character of Chris Kyle, matching his speaking patterns and stance. I only remotely see Bradley in there, which I think is key in forming a character. The whole flashback of Chris’s past with his father telling him about three types of people in the world encapsulates Chris’s character as a “sheepdog.” His predisposition is to protect the flock, which he demonstrates by protecting his men overseas or helping out the veterans stateside.
Sienna Miller as Chris’s wife Taya is the foundation of the film. Taya transforms Chris from a shell-shocked robot to a loving father and husband. Although they both go through the inevitable swings of marriage, Taya sticks with Chris, getting him help when he needs it.
Sound
There are occasional musical cues to highlight the tension or outline the character of Taya. Unlike other bombastic war films, there isn’t an epic score to compliment the heroes. There’s no brass to be played during the funeral. Every sound in the film is genuine. When 9/11 occurs and Chris is watching on the television, it isn’t a haunting musical cue. It is the cacophony of hatred and heroism that is swelling in Chris Kyle’s head.
Cinematography
At first, I really wanted to hate the cinematography. Several shots are very static in nature, and the computer-generated imagery is laughable. Them there’s the baby scene involving what seems to be a cheap girl’s doll. It seems Director Clint Eastwood just got lazy on that scene.
However, the scenes in the film involving the children in Iraq really made me appreciate the editing. The masterful editing of these static shots sold me on the storytelling.
The constant back and forth between the child and contemplating the rocket propelled grenade (RPG) on the ground. Chris’s taunt look. The boy struggles to pick up the RPG. Chris hesitates. His finger is on the trigger. The kid manages to stand up.
This is the moment when the audience breathes with Chris. You are hoping that he doesn’t have to shoot the kid. You pray that he puts the RPG launcher down. You don’t want to see yet another child die during the film.
Sets/Locations
During the film, one of the troops likens the Middle East to the “new Wild West.” After all, Eastwood is a veteran to the Western genre, so it is fitting that the locations give off that aura. There’s also a sort of “good guy, bad guy” shootout between Chris Kyle and Mustafa, an Iraqi super sniper.
The locations are also great at conveying an authenticity to the film. The set lighting and the decoration emanate a gritty film without being “in your face.” The one scene between Mustafa, Chris Kyle, and Biggles (one of the troops) ratchets the tension with the hanging sheets and clothing. There is a disorientation, much like being in a haunted house, where you know a shot is going to ring out, but you do not know from where…
“American Sniper” is a top contender for Best Picture at the Oscars. It really paints the picture of a man doing service for his country, and the repercussions from seeing the horrors of war. The acting and sound help make the film seem like a documentary, which lends to the realism of being based on a true story. It is a film that not only shows the mastery of Clint Eastwood and his gang, but also silences the audience in its scope and emotional storytelling.
“American Sniper” is nominated for:
– Best Motion Picture of the Year
– Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Bradley Cooper
– Best Achievement in Film Editing, Joel Cox and Gary D. Roach
– Best Achievement in Sound Editing, Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman
– Best Achievement in Sound Mixing, John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff and Walt Martin
– Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, Jason Hall
The eight films nominated for Best Motion Picture of the Year are:
– The Grand Budapest Hotel — Read Chad’s review 9 Oscar Nominations for ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’.
– Boyhood — Read Chad’s review A Meandering Yet Remarkable “Boyhood “.
– American Sniper — Read Chad’s review “American Sniper” Aims for the Heart
– The Imitation Game — Read Chad’s review “The Imitation Game” Rolls the Dice on Fact and Fiction
– Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
– Selma
– The Theory of Everything
– Whiplash
The Oscars will be broadcast live on Sunday, Feb. 22, beginning at 7 p.m. on ABC.
Chad Alexander is a mild-mannered government contractor by day and a pretty normal sleeper by night. He has been dedicated to freelance writing for the last decade — writing scripts, short stories, and blogging in his spare time. He reads constantly, plays board games in his spare time, and enjoys a fine 20 oz of Cherry Coke whenever he’s feeling dangerous.
Read more Movie Reviews by Chad Alexander
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