American Sniper (2014)

Directed by: Clint Eastwood, one of the great creators of American film
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Jonathan Groff

Basically okay. Two hours and twelve minutes. Rated R for swearing (I was watching it on TV so I missed it) and some graphic violence. It's about the war in Iraq and the hazards of conducting operations so there's naturally some explosions and shooting and hurt dealt out. It doesn't feel pornographic in its violence; check the content advisory if you're not sure. It was nominated for SIX Oscars, including Best Picture, Actor, Editing, and Adapted Screenplay.

The main thing I remember about this film when it was coming out is that it seemed like American propaganda about how killing Iraqi kids holding RPG's is just ... so sad ... for the soldier ... 'cause he has to kill that kid ... and isn't that sad 'cause Americans are so nice. But that's not really the content of the film at ALL; it's just what the trailer conveyed.

A LOT - of movies - have trouble with marketing their film; tragedies especially can't sell themselves on sadness, so they try to make it look romantic instead of tragic; which means its popular perception can encourage what the film itself DIScourages! 13 Reasons Why is a good (bad?) example. This film's really about how war veterans can build up traumatic experiences and then feel like they can't talk about it 'cause they have to be in charge. As a mentor once advised me, if mental issues emerge in you, you should find what works and move on, 'cause the same way it's irresponsible to not tell your team you have a broken ankle, it's irresponsible to not tell ANYONE you're having trouble mentally. Find someone you can tell and start the process, the same way you find someone to fix your ankle. It's not unmanly to get your ankle set. The one "shoot a kid with a gun" moment is REALLY meant to drive home that even when YOU feel like a good guy, an army will always inflict civilian casualties in its campaigns, so hopefully you believe the effects of victory outweigh the lives that'll be lost in the effort. The film isn't really taking a side beyond that.

But yeah, this film was surprisingly balanced (I hope this isn't ticking off anyone; I'm trying to be cognizant here). It didn't have any angry yelling scenes, no domestic abuse, no murder montages - there's ONE particularly violent scene in the first hour, and that's it. I can see why people like this film. If you're interested in this sort of thing, have at it