Last night I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to the Dallas, Texas premiere of one of the rare movies that Hollywood gets right. “American Sniper” is based on the life of Chris Kyle. For those of you who don't know, Chris was a Navy SEAL and is known as “Legend” throughout the military world for being the deadliest sniper in US history with over 160 confirmed kills. I predict that because of the truthful, ethical, and real way the subject matter was treated that it won't win a single Hollywood award even though technically it is a superior film and Cooper's performance is magnificent. The film follows his life from before his days in the U.S. Navy, through his BUD/S training, meeting his wife Taya, his first deployment to the Middle East shortly after they were married and his time doing his job as a frogman sniper. If you have read the biography you already know much of the film but unless you are a combat veteran you will probably find some of the visceral realness of this movie to be challenging.
I will try not give away any spoilers here as to specific scenes in the film but I will tell you that the movie is not appropriate for children or young teens (I will revisit the review after it has been out a few weeks to discuss scenes and themes). I try not to shield my children from too much, I'd rather use the opportunity to teach them a little about the situations that arise in violent films as long as it is within reason. That being said, my children will not be seeing this film for some time. Unlike most war films, this film depicts a reality in situations that really puts you as close to the painful decisions that you can emotionally get without actually having to do the job. I am struggling to find the words to describe the adrenaline rushes and dumps that Clint Eastwood has perfectly captured and timed in this movie so I will tell you how I felt immediately afterwards.
I felt completely inadequate and in awe of the sacrifice.
It's hard to comprehend but these weren't bad feelings. These were the proper feelings any man should have when they are in awe of the sacrifice, savagery and professionalism that is rolled up in a man like Chris Kyle and his fellow servicemen. Perhaps it had something to do with the setting in which I viewed the film. I walked in, a plain clothes civilian who had been denied the honor to serve because of a football injury that at the time made me an unfit candidate physically, and I was greeted by The Patriot Guard Riders (many of whom are veterans) standing solemnly along either side of the red carpet holding U.S. flags. From the first moment I was not worthy. Then I walked in to get my credentials and meet the man that had invited Dana and myself to attend – Boot Campaign's Johnny Joey Jones. “Tripple J” was an IED specialist and was injured by and IED explosion in 2010 that left him a double leg amputee. He walks, without crutches, on prosthetic limbs with his lovely wife and is seeking to help others who have bee affected like him or with wounds that aren't so easily detected. Joey gave me a hearty handshake, asked how I was doing and told me thanks for coming to the film. Moment two, I was still unworthy
Before the film Taya Kyle took to the stage with strength and grace to thunderous applause and invited the star who played her husband on to the stage with her as well as another veteran who was in the film and the author of the book. She spoke briefly about how Chris had changed her life and continues to do so even now that he is gone. She asked the veterans in attendance to stand and they were in turn given a standing ovation. Taya praised Bradley Cooper for his portrayal as well as Sienna Miller who played herself and quoted her husband who called director Clint Eastwood a “badass.” She asked the men to join hands with her onstage as she lead a prayer. It was a special moment filled with humor and love that helped to put a human face and a physical tie to reality of what we were about to see on the screen. Taya took her seat a few rows up from me close to family friends Glenn Beck and his daughter. I thought to myself about the sacrifice her family has made and the strength she must possess to even be a part of something which must bring back painful memories. Another moment where I felt as though I could do more.
The film was brilliant. It is the most real and visceral depiction of war and the struggles home that I can imagine. Bradley Cooper was completely not himself, he gave himself to this role and you can tell he respects it deeply. My friend and actor Matthew Marsden once told me that his life and perspective were changed in preparing for his role in Blackhawk Down because of the time he spent with active service members and combat veterans. I believe Cooper was probably changed as well. Within the first few minutes any images I had of him in my mind doing comedy were completely erased, my respect for him as an actor has grown. The cinematography was stunning and everything from the sounds to the perspectives were crafted to make you feel it and to make you uncomfortable with the situations. I was angry, startled, frightened, sad, frustrated and overwhelmed with anxiety – sometimes within seconds of each other. The emotional roller-coaster is exhausting if you are someone who really plugs in to movies like I do. This is film at its best and Eastwood's magnum opus. When the film ended and the houselights came up I wiped away some tears and looked around at the faces of the heroes that had actually lived it. I could do nothing but hold my head a little lower and think – unworthy.
I have had the distinct pleasure of making some truly good and lasting friendships over the last five years. None are more rewarding than those I have struck up with the combat veterans who do tactical to practical instruction at Asymmetric Solutions. Two guys in particular are Jared Ogden and Grady Powell, a SEAL and a Green Beret who appear on National Geographic's “Ultimate Survival Alaska” in addition to providing instruction to some of our nation's finest special operations forces. I have heard stories of triumph and sorrow, of revelry and pain, all of which are depicted in surprising and challenging ways in this movie. When it was over I felt compelled to call Jared who knew Chris in real life and is a fellow frogman to tell him thanks again, to tell him how I felt after the film, and to see how his foundation (Pheonix Patriot Foundation) was doing. Again he humbly thanked me for the update and was excited to know that he would see Dana and myself at SHOT Show. What do you say when you stand in the shadow of giants, those with uncommon valor, heroes, real men and they tell you thanks? Sometimes you say nothing and you grind a little harder, to give a little more to those who would give and have given their life and limb for you. Then it struck me that these men don’t risk everything so that the rest of us will walk around with our heads hung low, they do it so that we can raise our heads and be proud Americans. This film makes me proud to support the finest fighting force that God has ever seen fit to allow on this planet and even more proud to call them friends and loved ones.
Go and see this film, take your friends, especially the ungrateful progressive ones who always think “we are just as bad as them.” If this film doesn't change their mind about our fine servicemen then their hearts are hardened against truth. Bring tissue.
I mentioned several fine organizations in this piece, I hope you support them all as well as The Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.
