The Oscar-nominated
film “American Sniper” is based on the true story of American Chris Kyle. He
formerly served as a member of the U.S. Navy’s Sea, Air and Land teams, also
known as SEALs.
Chris Kyle served four
times in Iraq as a sniper. He saved the lives of countless American soldiers
and became famous, and infamous, for his expert marksmanship – his skill in
shooting a gun at a target.
The film “American
Sniper” explores the effects of war on the human spirit.
DOCTOR: “Would you be
surprised if I told you that Navy has credited you with over 160 kills?”
CHRIS KYLE (played by
Bradley Cooper): “Hmm…”
DOCTOR: “Do you ever
think that you might have seen things or done some things over there that you
wish you hadn’t?”
CHRIS KYLE: “Oh, that’s
not me. No.”
Sniper Chris Kyle,
played by Bradley Cooper, is unapologetic about killing the enemy.
CHRIS KYLE: “The thing
that haunts me are all the guys that I couldn’t save.”
“American Sniper” is
not about American bravery in war. It is a story about the emotional damage war
can cause even on the most efficient and effective of soldiers.
Chris Kyle is a husband
and father. The more time he spends in battle, the less able he is to
communicate to his wife and friends what he experiences there.
That vicious circle
draws him back to the battlefield.
Ryan Galucci is deputy
director of the group Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. He says
the movie is about one of the most common emotional traumas that soldiers
experience.
“You just came back
from a very profound experience, it is difficult to contextualize for the
average civilian. That’s why I think films like this are important in trying to
contextualize that experience and some of the emotions that come with going to
war and then coming home."
Actor Bradley Cooper
stars as Chris Kyle, who slowly loses himself emotionally and mentally and
quietly struggles to rebuild his life. His performance earned him an Oscar
nomination for Best Actor. He says the movie is neutral on the subject of war.
“This movie is not a
pro-war or an anti-war movie or even a war film for that matter. It’s a movie
about one character’s struggle to juggle a family life and a work life and the
work life happens to be one which demands giving one’s life for one’s country.”
Not everyone agrees
with that opinion, however. Recent discussions between celebrities on Twitter
became a little heated over the message of “American Sniper.” American
filmmaker Michael Moore tweeted that he had been raised to believe snipers were
cowards. His uncle had been killed by a Japanese sniper during World War Two.
Country singers Blake
Shelton and Charlie Daniels took issue with Moore’s comments. Shelton tweeted:
“Sickens me to see celebrities or anybody slam the very people who protect
their right to talk...”
Chris Kyle was murdered
in February 2013. His attacker was another war veteran who suffered from
post-traumatic stress disorder. Taya Kyle, his wife, says the film helped her.
“I had a little bit of
peace before I went into the movie, but coming out I didn’t realize what a
weight I maybe was still carrying. And it was lifted because they nailed it.
They really got Chris, just who he is with all the good, the bad, everything.
It's just sort of out there for the world to see and I think that's what make
it beautiful."
“American Sniper” has
also received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture for its depiction of the
contrast of humanity at war and humanity at peacetime.
I’m Jonathan Evans.
Caty Weaver wrote this
story for Learning English based on a piece by VOA reporter Penelope Poulou.
George Grow was the editor.
Have you seen “American
Sniper?” Are movies about war and soldiers popular where you live? Let us know.
Post your comment on our website.
___________________________________________________________
Words in This Story
infamous – adj.
well-known for being bad : known for evil acts or crimes
marksmanship – n. skill
in shooting guns
trauma n. – a very
difficult or unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or
emotional problems usually for a long time
juggle – v. to do
(several things) at the same time
depiction – n. to
describe (someone or something) using words, a story, etc.
contrast – n. to
compare (two people or things) to show how they are different
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