Posted on 01/23/2015 5:52:39 AM PST by Kaslin
I am never offended when someone scoffs at a movie I love. In matters of opinion, we are all entitled to admire (or not) the films, TV shows, books and music that move us. There have been widely admired films that did very little for me, and others I loved that did not score with critics or at the box office.
I am blown away by the diligence and the artistry that have given us Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood,” the nearly three-hour rocky ride through a family’s life that took twelve years to shoot. Just the other day I ran across some folks who found it a crashing bore. I obviously disagree, but it matters not one bit. We like what we like.
“American Sniper” is a wholly different discussion, one that I can only now fully join. After hearing some glowing reviews and some that were more tepid, the testimony of waves of friends and acquaintances (and talk show callers) who loved it, and smatterings from the left heaping disdain, I finally saw it for myself on Wednesday afternoon.
I was profoundly moved at multiple levels. It is a fine work, from the directing of Clint Eastwood to the remarkable transformation of Bradley Cooper into Chris Kyle, a figure known well in my part of Texas. Sienna Miller is superb as Taya Kyle, showing us her anguish as her husband endures great danger across four tours of duty, wrestling with his inability to fully come home in between. “People are dying and I’m going to the mall,” he laments as the family that needs him pulls him from one side and the country that needs him pulls from the other.
It is the nurturing of a new passion, helping veterans disabled by issues from IEDs to PTSD, that grounds him in his home, calming his warrior soul— just in time to be shot by one vet he was trying to help on February 2, 2013.
A screenwriter dreaming up this level of gut-wrenching tragedy would probably be turned down. It’s just too over the top. A legendary war hero with struggles at home, quieting his demons by giving to his fellow soldiers, one of whom takes him out, leaving a wife, two small children and a nation of grieving admirers.
Who would believe that?
But it is all too real, and those realities spill out on the screen during “American Sniper,” which is a war movie, a love story and a classic American tragedy for the ages. I have never appreciated Eastwood more, and after “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle” the last two years (before we even get to his amazing stint as “The Elephant Man” on Broadway), Bradley Cooper is one of the most remarkable actors working today.
There is no doubt that I admire the filmcraft even more here because my heart is wrapped so tightly around the subject matter. Chris Kyle was a fellow Texan, a hero whose sacrifices protected my family. My wife and I attended his memorial service at Cowboys Stadium nine days after his death. We watched the signs and flags draped from every overpass the next day as his funeral procession rolled through the rain from Arlington to Midlothian to the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.
I loved that man. I love this movie.
If others do not, that is fine, as I mentioned at the top. Not everyone has to admire the film, or even its subject matter. You don’t have to hold “American Sniper” or its subject matter in the high regard that I do.
But the torrents of liberal revulsion the film has sparked have nothing to do with vigorous debate over a movie’s merits. The Hollywood haters of “American Sniper” are driven by hatred of Chris Kyle himself. And it is there we find a modern mental pathology that would keep a full ward of psychologists busy for a very long time.
But no degree in human personality traits is necessary to see what drives the monstrous reactions of the Michael Moores, Seth Rogens and Max Blumenthals who have gone beyond disregard for the movie to heap venom on its subject.
There is not a surprise to be found in Moore’s attack about the cowardice of snipers, Rogen’s snotty comparison of the film to Nazi propaganda, or even Blumenthal’s label of “mass murdering sniper,” in the mold John Lee Malvo.
This is a natural visceral reaction when the bigotries of the left are laid bare to the bright light of American virtue. The prospect of a selfless American hero willing to risk his life to fight the evils of global jihad offends leftism at every level. It speaks to a strong America, which they despise. It celebrates wartime sacrifice, which does not move them. And it highlights the evils of our Islamic enemies, which sends them over the cliff into an abyss of hostile loathing they cannot help but share.
The comments of the Kyle-haters were met with conservative pushback, much of it suggesting that Michael Moore in particular should shut up and thank God for the Chris Kyles who fight for his freedom to make whatever little films he pleases.
I differed. From the insults to Kyle to the labels of him as a murderer, to the derision of any film that would elevate him, I want to hear it all. I want every loathsome, odious rant from these people to be out there for all to hear. Let them be judged by those words. Let their vicious derangements go into a time capsule for the ages, to chronicle how such merchants of our pop culture reviled the people who fought for the liberties they take for granted.
No one is required to love “American Sniper.” No one is required to support the war. But if you are unmoved as the credits roll, there is something askew in your heart. A liberal friend told me Kyle’s compulsion to defend his nation and protect his SEAL brethren made him seem “like a psychopath.” I asked if he felt similarly about selfless devotion to civil rights in the era of Dr. King, or a life given over to the cause of marriage equality today. Doesn’t someone looking to prevent future 9/11’s deserve at least a tip of the hat?
What is missing in the cauldron of leftist aggressions is the inability appreciate the sacrifices of participants in wars they disagree with. It led them to brand past generations of soldiers as baby-killers in Vietnam, and it leads them to insult the honor of those who volunteer today to protect our nation from Islamofascist monsters who would kill us where we stand.
If ambivalence to “American Sniper” is evidence of a missing cog in the heart, condemnation of it is evidence of a dark pool in the soul, a black hole of hatred that yields a wounded animal reaction when faced with the threat that Chris Kyle’s life story poses to their worldview.
We’re hoping to see it Sunday. Everyone I’ve talked to who has seen it says it is a must-see. (We probably go out to the movies 2x a year, tops.)
I saw it last Saturday afternoon and plan to see it again tomorrow or on Sunday afternoon at a different movie theater. There was silence pretty well during the whole time except for a few minutes when a few people laughed about something that had to do with when he was a child. I got tears in my eyes at the end of the movie
I think you’ll enjoy it. It’s very well done.
Be sure to bring some Kleenex with you. I was moved to tears at the end. The theater was almost silent during the credit roll except for the sounds of sniffling.
They’re angry because he killed their friends, literally. Anyone hating him or the movie is pro-terrorists.
Yeah, there was not a peep in my theater when I left. Amazing movie.
You need better friends!
Regards,
GtG
My wife and I went last weekend. Afterwards there was applause in the theater.
You're right - pro-terrorists... And these leftists hate this country...
We saw it last night. Bring tissues. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Yes.
We went to see it while Obama’s SOTU Show was on. I would think any patriot would find it a powerful and emotional experience. Walking out of a packed theater in near total silence is surreal. After the show I realized a group of Navy Seals were there. I would have loved to talk to them about it, but they were having trouble holding it together.
Some time ago, I started disassociating myself from liberals who claimed to be my friends...
I can’t find any reason to associate with anyone who aligns themselves with an idealogy that folks who believe like me should be eradicated...it’s really that simple.
I plan on seeing the film this weekend...
If this movie was reversed and the focus was on the sacrifice of a Syrian Jihadi sniper that went to Iraq to kill American’s they would LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
You’re right. There is no room in this nation to accommodate these hate-America filled “people”. It’s time to ostracize them. They are negative, heartless, soul-sucking, angry traitors to every good that America stands for. They are cancerous to our very being. They deserve nothing from me.
Mark.....the proof is in the pudding. Every American should see this film. The negative barbs, rants and raves of hate & envy coming, from the left-wing, Obama, low lifes can best be responded to.....simply by millions of American citizens just turning out to see and view this magnificent piece of filmwork given to us by Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller and the entire cast & crew of this outstanding production.
The Academy Awards, will no doubt mock and avoid “American Sniper”...but the rank and file Americans numbering in the millions know that the film and Cooper have brought forth the best picture and best actor for this year’s awards.
The Academy will have millions more watching this year....who will be disappointed in the choices made by the Academy members who bypass “American Sniper: & Bradley Cooper...and who completely bypassed Clint Eastwood...who by far is the best director this year!!!
Hollywood sinks another notch lower, by their very own actions of liberal political correctness. Wake up, “Hollywood” fools....Obama is no longer in vogue....no matter how the media glorifies this useless human being!!! If the Academy voters had honest MoJo....they would “write-in” Clint Eastwood as the best director of the year!!!
Hello, America
Notice the dark, dull, non-reflective surface of his ring?
Liberals would rather be murdered or enslaved by Muslims than see America or Christianity flourish.
THAT is the level of their hatred. That is how much they hate you.
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