Review: American Sniper

When a motion picture is adapted from a book, I'm frequently disappointed with the movie. How much was left out. How much creative license was taken to translate text to film. The poor choice of actor/actress who barely fits the physical description the author crafted so carefully so that we the reader could see him or her as clearly in our minds as they did.
And, if I really lived the book, the movie better be pretty damn good. I picked up the book during a work trip and finished it the day Chris Kyle and his buddy Chad Littlefield were killed reaching out to a fellow soldier. I cried for this man I did not know but who had served his country with the utmost patriotism. For Chad Littlefield who laid down his life helping an ailing veteran. For their families, grieving at the senseless loss.
It better be a damn good movie.
It delivered. Clint Eastwood delivered with gritty honesty the horrible responsibilities of war and the lasting effects on our military. Bradley Cooper valiantly portrayed the complexity of Chris Kyle along with simplicity of his belief that he would protect his country and his brothers any way he could. So much was left out from the book, but the film captured the essence of his personality, snapshots of his service, moments of joy and strife with his family.
It was a damn good movie. And a damn great tribute to a hero. A great tribute to every man and woman who lay their lives on the line for the defence of their country.