There continues to be a divide in the heroes Hollywood is interested in honoring, and audiences.
You’re watching Beyond The Trailer’s review of American Sniper...
To many, many people, Chris Kyle isn’t just an American Sniper - he’s an American Hero.
He not only served his country, but dared to break the military’s traditional code
of silence with his autobiography American Sniper and the interactions with the press
that followed. Kyle asked the public to celebrate what the military gets right, and to question
what it gets wrong. That last part also made Kyle a bit of a controversial figure, as some
heroes often are, and some of his supporters believe he tragic fate was in reality Kyle
being “silenced”. All of this has resulted in intense online interest in Clint Eastwood
and Bradley Cooper’s film adaptation of Kyle’s autobiography, yet so far the industry
itself has paid little attention to the film. Eastwood’s films are usually a shoe-in for
at least a few nominations, yet so far American Sniper has been snubbed by almost all the
award shows - including the Golden Globes. Now, one could argue that it’s actually
Eastwood, who’s been in a bit of slump since Invictus - Hereafter, J Edgar and Jersey Boys
have also all failed to make waves. Yet last year’s Lone Survivor - another military
flick which drummed up serious audience interest - also was ignored during awards season. This
has all got to be tremendously disappointing for Bradley Cooper, who not only stars as
Kyle but is also a producer here. Despite David O Russell and Steven Spielberg both
passing on American Sniper, this was supposed to be the eternal groomsman’s opportunity
to finally be the groom - yet this time it seems he won’t even get invited to the wedding.
But that’s okay, he’s Rocket Raccoon! And perhaps American Sniper, like Lone Survivor,
will at least get to enjoy some box office success - allowing Cooper’s career to stay
alive to fight for an Oscar another day. So, is this really a case of a blue state industry
versus red state moviegoers? Or maybe American Sniper really DOESN’T do Chris Kyle justice...
Chris
Kyle justice...