Ensign Lestat's Oscars Countdown, 24/01/2015
American Sniper
Nominations - Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor (Bradley Cooper), Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing
In 'American Sniper', Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) goes from being a Rodeo Cowboy to America's most successful sniper. He learns his art from a young age, thanks to his hunting trips with his father. More than anything, Kyle is a patriot, and his goal is to protect the people.
He flourishes under hardship and grows with every challenge. As a Navy SEAL, he's a natural leader; his pinpoint accuracy with the gun makes him a legend. He's affable and friendly. On his tours, he's a hero, but he doesn't let that get to his head - to him he's doing his duty.
But the trouble with Kyle isn't when he's on tour, it's when he's home. Hardly has he become a father, when he leaves his new wife Taya (Sienna Miller) and baby to go on his first tour. On his rare return home, he remains caught up in the war, suffering through his trauma in silence, reliving all the moments when he killed civilians or lost his men. He can't open up, and it eats away at his marriage.
It takes him four tours to finally take a break, and even then he continues to help former soldiers suffering from PTSD.
Clint Eastwood returns with another hard-hitting drama. As American troops continue to be deployed overseas, and wars shatter the lives of innocents the world over, this film remains poignant. But, as a non-American it is sometimes difficult to get behind these folk. Unnecessary deaths cannot be condoned - irrespective of which side they're on. The war in Iraq is a contentious issue, for Americans and foreigners alike. What I commend Eastwood on is that he does not tar and feather all Iraqis with the terrorism brush. He adds some shocking moments where we must dwell in the pain of the locals caught up in the war.
By sticking to the story and life of one man (the events are based on Kyle's memoir, hence giving it a singular perspective), Eastwood eliminates the need for a direct commentary on the Iraq war. Of course, Kyle may just have left out the uncomfortable bits of the war, but considering the average citizen is aware of Guantanamo, we can assume that the audience is well aware that despite these soldiers' sacrifices, there were several bad apples to ruin their efforts.
Cooper worked hard to emulate Kyle's look and his transformation has bagged him a nomination. He was a surprise entry, one that I feel is worthy, but which may have robbed another superb candidate of his first and most deserved nomination. Cooper is superb as a dogged soldier, as well as the closed-off husband. But, there was one scene, a pivotal moment, one that defined the real Chris Kyle, which would have been the difference between a good performance and a great one, and Cooper blows it.
[SPOILER ALERT] The seminal moment comes three-quarter way into the film. Kyle, on his third tour, aims and shoots a local with a grenade launcher. Then, a child heads to the launcher and attempts to pick it up. Kyle prays for the child to drop it. But he doesn't. He lifts it and places it on his shoulder, aiming it at an American tank ahead. Kyle gets ready to shoot, his body tense, when the child drops it and runs. We concentrate on Cooper as he reacts with relief and fear. But his eyes never seem involved in the scene. If Cooper had conquered that scene, he would have definitely been worth a win. But he doesn't. In fact, the close concentration of the shot only succeeded in taking me out of the film. There's also the fact that this moment was ruined by the trailer. This scene should never have been in the trailer, it's a tense, character-defining moment, and deserved its place in the film alone. [END SPOILER]
There are several known faces among the soldiers, and the film itself is accomplished, with no extraneous scenes. A war film such as this one is a likely winner at the Academy Awards. The Awards are a celebration of American life and the American way, and this film may just win big this year.
American Sniper
Nominations - Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor (Bradley Cooper), Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing
In 'American Sniper', Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) goes from being a Rodeo Cowboy to America's most successful sniper. He learns his art from a young age, thanks to his hunting trips with his father. More than anything, Kyle is a patriot, and his goal is to protect the people.He flourishes under hardship and grows with every challenge. As a Navy SEAL, he's a natural leader; his pinpoint accuracy with the gun makes him a legend. He's affable and friendly. On his tours, he's a hero, but he doesn't let that get to his head - to him he's doing his duty.
But the trouble with Kyle isn't when he's on tour, it's when he's home. Hardly has he become a father, when he leaves his new wife Taya (Sienna Miller) and baby to go on his first tour. On his rare return home, he remains caught up in the war, suffering through his trauma in silence, reliving all the moments when he killed civilians or lost his men. He can't open up, and it eats away at his marriage.
It takes him four tours to finally take a break, and even then he continues to help former soldiers suffering from PTSD.
Clint Eastwood returns with another hard-hitting drama. As American troops continue to be deployed overseas, and wars shatter the lives of innocents the world over, this film remains poignant. But, as a non-American it is sometimes difficult to get behind these folk. Unnecessary deaths cannot be condoned - irrespective of which side they're on. The war in Iraq is a contentious issue, for Americans and foreigners alike. What I commend Eastwood on is that he does not tar and feather all Iraqis with the terrorism brush. He adds some shocking moments where we must dwell in the pain of the locals caught up in the war.
By sticking to the story and life of one man (the events are based on Kyle's memoir, hence giving it a singular perspective), Eastwood eliminates the need for a direct commentary on the Iraq war. Of course, Kyle may just have left out the uncomfortable bits of the war, but considering the average citizen is aware of Guantanamo, we can assume that the audience is well aware that despite these soldiers' sacrifices, there were several bad apples to ruin their efforts.
Cooper worked hard to emulate Kyle's look and his transformation has bagged him a nomination. He was a surprise entry, one that I feel is worthy, but which may have robbed another superb candidate of his first and most deserved nomination. Cooper is superb as a dogged soldier, as well as the closed-off husband. But, there was one scene, a pivotal moment, one that defined the real Chris Kyle, which would have been the difference between a good performance and a great one, and Cooper blows it.
[SPOILER ALERT] The seminal moment comes three-quarter way into the film. Kyle, on his third tour, aims and shoots a local with a grenade launcher. Then, a child heads to the launcher and attempts to pick it up. Kyle prays for the child to drop it. But he doesn't. He lifts it and places it on his shoulder, aiming it at an American tank ahead. Kyle gets ready to shoot, his body tense, when the child drops it and runs. We concentrate on Cooper as he reacts with relief and fear. But his eyes never seem involved in the scene. If Cooper had conquered that scene, he would have definitely been worth a win. But he doesn't. In fact, the close concentration of the shot only succeeded in taking me out of the film. There's also the fact that this moment was ruined by the trailer. This scene should never have been in the trailer, it's a tense, character-defining moment, and deserved its place in the film alone. [END SPOILER]
There are several known faces among the soldiers, and the film itself is accomplished, with no extraneous scenes. A war film such as this one is a likely winner at the Academy Awards. The Awards are a celebration of American life and the American way, and this film may just win big this year.
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