It’s about the real life of Chris Kyle, one of the most notorious snipers in the American Army. The film is loosely  based on Chris Kyle’s memoir “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History” with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice. Directed by Clint Eastwood it stars Bradley Cooper as Kyle, and Sienna Miller as his wife, Taya. The movie also features Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Kyle Gallner, Sam Jaeger, and Cory Hardrict in supporting roles.

I was engaged in the story throughout the film. Chris and how Bradley Cooper portrayed him fascinated me. His resolve and determination were palpable. The subtle shift in his behavior after each tours were obvious to me – which technically does not make them subtle. Then at the end we finally have a glimpse of the cowboy we first met, while at the same time see that he was changed.

I wasn’t as emotionally invested in the film as I thought I’d be. Probably because the movie has a tendency to look like an add campaign for the U.S. Military. It’s not promoting war or anything but it kind of looks like a nicely directed action-based commercial. Despite the intensity, the violence, and the drama in some scenes it’s the archive footage that got to me. It took me by surprised and I shed a few tears.

American Sniper is a war epic drama that entertains but lacks subtlety. A good movie that you’ll probably not going to watch again whether you like or not. What’s your take on it?