It's been a long time since a movie grabbed this much attention. Well, not counting "The Interview," which I and the North Koreans both regrettably saw.
At the same, "American Sniper," with its war theme, has also prompted its detractors. Each with less credibility than the next.
Perennial Democratic loser Howard Dean said that the film will appeal to "the nut jobs on the right." But, Dean himself is a perfect example of American politics in action. If you're certifiably insane, you don't get committed. You simply run for office.
We've heard snarky comments from the bloated mess formerly known as Michael Moore. On Twitter, he's likening real snipers to cowards. Of course, the only war Moore has been in is with his waistline. And he lost that. Oh, he always lost a tone of dough in the divorce settlement with his wife who is probably finally recovering from have 400 or so pounds on top of her every Saturday night.
And, of course, let's not forget the grossly unfunny Seth Rogen who also had nasty things to tweet about America and their military involvement in foreign lands. Let's just hope that, in the future, Rogen just concentrates on what he does best. And when we figure out just what he can do, call me.
Naturally, anyone on the left side of the aisle is automatically going to dislike "American Sniper" because, well, somebody probably told them to in an embedded e-mail thread. I mean, director Clint Eastwood had the audacity to appear at a Republican National Convention and question the policies of the current administration in the White House. Oh, well.
Now, the smart person and intelligent moviegoer will see "American Sniper" and realize that it is probably the most balanced and layered war film to come out of Hollywood in years. It doesn't glorify war nor does it argue against all conflicts. It presents the story of the late Chris Kyle who, on four tours of duty in the Mideast as a Navy Seal, just happened to have the most sniper kills ever. He is known as the Legend. Sadly, there are soldiers who are entrusted to do just that day in and day out. Protect their fellow troops and brothers. Why? Well, because,...guess what...there are snipers on the other side doing the same thing. Indeed, these guys are up against some fiend on the other side called The Butcher who is picking off soldiers, women, and children from his own rooftop.
Funny how that's never discussed.
Yes, Chris Kyle is a good ole boy and a bit of a hothead. At the same time, he enlists as soon as 9/11 happens. And is committed to defending his country.
Yeah, this is not somebody we want to admire.
The torture that Kyle goes through on every kill is transferred to everybody in the audience. You feel his pain. You understand the anguish his wife and family back home goes through every time he comes home for a while and then heads right back to battle.
Director Clint Eastwood does a masterful job of showing up all sides of the argument. Go see this with a friend and I double dare you not to discuss the film all the way home. When Chris Kyle is blinded in a sandstorm, Eastwood creates the image on screen. You can't see anything either. He puts you right in the heat of battle.
This is a movie that will prompt smart discussions if you have smart people in your lives. Friends of Howard Dean, Michael Moore, and Seth Rogen are frankly shit out of luck. With "American Sniper," you understand the complex situations our soldiers are in. This is no longer John Wayne storming a beach. With technology in 2015, war is no only fought with a gun or a missile. In some cases, it can be waged with the simple click of a mouse.
Bradley Cooper is well deserving of his Oscar nomination here because you actually forget you are watching an actor. He won't win and neither will the picture because...well...you know. Indeed, there is not a dead spot in the cast. Frankly, I can't remember any of their names because I really thought I was watching the real thing. You do get, over the closing credits, actual footage of the real Chris Kyle's funeral motorcade. You will hear sniffles all around you.
"American Sniper" might be one of the best war films I've ever seen and my dad took me to all of them. But, more importantly, the movie makes you think. About the complicated world around us.
Let's face it, gang. For those myopic folks who yearn for the days of sitting around a campfire and singing "Give Peace A Chance," that ship has unfortunately sailed. If we had a remote chance of that, it disintegrated in the rubble of the World Trade Center. This country, as well as many others, will be at war for the rest of time.
But, at the same time, how is that different from any other time on this planet? There have always been religious wars and ethnic wars and economic wars. It's called history. Understand it as opposed to denying it even exists.
Go see "American Sniper" and begin your education. As for me, I've got a great idea for a documentary.
How about we film Michael Moore sitting in a high school and taking eleventh-grade American History?
LEN'S RATING: Four stars.
Dinner last night: Onion soup and salad.
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