The packed theater thundered with applause at the very end of the story about the man who said that he could answer to his maker for every shot he took. The applause was followed by complete silence as the audience left the building; nary a dry eye in attendance. It was revealing to see the faces of the ushers standing outside the doors as they viewed the visceral reaction etched into the faces of those who had just seen.
Such was the experience of American Sniper, the blockbuster movie directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper. Both men should get an Oscar, and deservedly so (though Eastwood is not nominated.) Bradley Cooper gave far and away, the best performance of his career as he became Chris Kyle, the most successful sniper in US history. Clint Eastwood surpassed all of his best, proving that like fine wine, he just keeps getting better with age.
The film was a visual experience which moved quickly and was heart pounding yet emotional, as the raw and difficult subject matter was handled deftly. There was never a moment where the audience spoke or became disengaged from the movie. One would be hard pressed to call waterboarding torture after seeing this film, a rarely accurate depiction of the reality of one mans’ life and the torture contained therein. Was Chris Kyle a hero? I would have to say so.
One might say that Hollywood often creates fantasies. In this case, it seemingly captured a reality rarely seen by the uninitiated. It will grab your attention and keep it, and for good reason. I resist any temptation to tell you about it. American Sniper must be seen to be appreciated. You might find yourself with tears in your eyes, clapping and quietly filing out of the theater. Everyone else did…
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