American Sniper, the acclaimed 2014 biographical war drama directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, is now available to stream on Netflix in the UK. The film tells the harrowing true story of Chris Kyle, a US Navy SEAL whose record during four tours of Iraq made him one of the most lethal snipers in American military history.
A Sniper's Journey
Based on Kyle's 2012 memoir of the same name, the film follows his path from a Texas ranch hand and rodeo cowboy to an elite military marksman. Kyle joined the Navy and became a SEAL, serving in Iraq four times between 2003 and 2009, where he was credited with 160 confirmed kills by the Pentagon.
The emotional core of the film, however, lies in what happened after Kyle returned home. Cooper's portrayal explores the growing distance between Kyle and his wife Taya, played by Sienna Miller, as he repeatedly returns to Iraq. The real Kyle and Taya had two children, and his four deployments left his family behind while he served in some of the war's most dangerous areas.
Tragic End and Critical Reception
After leaving the Navy in 2009, Kyle dedicated much of his time to helping other veterans. His life ended tragically when he took fellow veteran Eddie Ray Routh to a shooting range in Texas, hoping to help him. Routh fatally shot Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield, leading to Kyle's death at just 38 years old.
American Sniper divided critics, particularly over its portrayal of Kyle and the Iraq War, but audiences have been mostly enthusiastic. The film holds a 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes. One viewer praised the film for its "amazing emotion," its depiction of PTSD and the effects of war, and its action sequences. Another wrote: "A great movie on Chris Kyle's life. Superb performance by Bradley Cooper. Great directing from Clint Eastwood. Also, great acting by entire cast." A third viewer called it a difficult but worthwhile watch, describing it as "a beautiful film."
Awards and Recognition
Cooper's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. The film received six Oscar nominations in total and won Best Sound Editing. American Sniper is currently streaming on Netflix in the UK.
