Review of American Sniper (2014) by Andrew G — 13 Sep 2015

Clint Eastwood's harrowing fascinating true-life character study of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, played superbly by a bulked up heavy muscled Bradley Cooper, who delivers an exceptionally brilliant Oscar nominated performance, he was the most lethal sniper in U.

S. military history with a jaw-dropping 160 confirmed enemy kills, his extraordinary pinpoint marksmanship turns him into a living legend in the military. The movie is based on Kyle's best-selling book of the same name.

It depicts some of the intense combat and sacrifice that Kyle saw during his four deployments to Iraq, and the agony of his many comrades in arms that he witnessed die, as well as his struggle to adjust to life at home in between his tours.

Eastwood's masterful direction shows that all the kills that Kyle made, slowly began taking a terrible toll on this increasingly remote man's marriage and psyche. The really tragedy after everything Kyle endured was that he was shot to death on a Texas gun range in 2013, allegedly by a Marine veteran he was trying to help through post-traumatic stress.

This beautifully crafted film features outstanding supporting performances by Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner, Cole Konis, Ben Reed and Elise Robertson. Impressive cinematography by Tom Stern. But it's Bradley Cooper's full-tilt committed star turn as this troubled American hero who's skill with a rifle saved countless lives in the battlefield that totally dominates this gripping film.

One of the year's finest films. Nominated for 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor: Bradley Cooper. Highly Recommended.