American Sniper

*****
UK Release Date: January 16th 2015

Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle's pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home to his wife and kids after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can't leave behind.

Director: Clint Eastwood (Letter from Iwo Jima, Gran Torino, J. Edgar)

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller

Chris Kyle was an unsung hero until Clint Eastwood decided to pick up his story. I, like many others in the U.K., have never heard of the most lethal sniper in U.S. history, so coming from a neutral point of view,  American Sniper is a bold and courageous story that's both poetic and heartbreaking. It's not trying to be an act of discretion, nor is it intentionally righteous or patriotic. Chris Kyle (Cooper) serves four tours over a number of years, never feeling at odds with the burden on his shoulders, and only ever feeling truly at home when he's not at home.

Bradley Cooper has bulked himself up, in body and execution. This is by far his most genuine performance to date, blowing Silver Linings Playbook's Pat out of the water. He's calm and cool, from the moment his current girlfriend dumps him, to joining the SEALS, to wooing Taya (Miller), and finally, on all his tours. His orders are to take out those who threaten the lives of the American troops on the ground. No amount of killing phases him, whether it be men, women or children. At least that's what he says towards the end, but beneath the exterior is a huge mess. Whenever he's home from tours his mind is adrift, wondering how many lives he could be saving if he were still out there. 

Solid acting from both Cooper and Miller. They bring out Kyle's deep psychological burdens. Eastwood focuses on the man rather than the fame. Yes, Kyle does go from tour to tour fighting the good fight, but thankfully it's broken up with the difficulties he experiences with his wife and children. 

American Sniper is easily Eastwood's best work since the war double Flags of Our Fathers and Letter from Iwo Jima. He's comfortable with war films, engaging the audience to the point where they're hanging off their seats, always asking us how it would feel to be in their shoes. AS is meaningful, full of suspense and incredibly emotional. The narrow-minded will seek out meanings that aren't there, whilst you'll find a lot to love with an open one. 

5/5