American Sniper (2014)

This is a late review for a film that has garnered much attention. I finally got a chance to see American Sniper this last weekend and aside from the quality of the film itself, it was an interesting experience. Interesting in the sense that for once I was seeing a highly talked about film months after it was released. This meant that I heard an opinion of the film from nearly everyone I knew not to mention any major news site I had visited. I did my best during the screening to evaluate the film itself and separate it from its controversy. This film, more than any other last year, sparked political debate which was fueled by comments on the left by Michael Moore and on the right by commentators on Fox News. I will do my best in this review to look at the film on its own terms and separate it from those comments, but, in some cases, I think the film begs to be talked about in a political manner.

This biopic comes to us from the veteran lens of director Clint Eastwood. Eastwood has a way of making films that feel like a piece of workmanship. In this way he is like the old studio director Michael Curtiz in that he isn't begging you to notice his directing. Some people see films like this and thin that the director is "phoning it in" by not having many "artsy" shots, but in this case, like with many of Eastwood and Curtiz's films, the lack of flashy camerawork only serves to better tell the story. It is a testament to his skill that Eastwood makes it look easy.

Politically this film has been talked about on both sides. It has been both derided and embraced as a propaganda piece and I think the simple truth is that it is not a propaganda piece. It also does not criticize the Iraq war the way that some seem to expect, and want, it to. It is instead a story of Chris Kyle's heroism told mostly from his perspective. You may disagree with Kyle's perspective but the honesty with which it is portrayed is admirable. If you embrace his perspective the film will give you a lot of reasons to be happy,  If you don't, I think it is still possible to marvel at the filmmaking and acting. I think much of the criticism on both sides has misrepresented the film, but I think that particularly those who find the film offensive  have allowed their bias to unfairly taint their view of the quality of the film.

This quality is especially on display in the acting, particularly by Bradley Cooper. This is Cooper's best performance and it anchors the film. Without his performance the film would fall apart and in all honesty this was one of the best, if not the best, performance by an actor last year. The war scenes are also well done. The structure of the film is probably its other greatest asset because it makes the audience feel and empathize with the main characters struggle. This is an involving film which is what I think has made it so successful, but it is deceptively simple. American Sniper raises some very complex questions amid its bravado and these questions help to enrich the experience. I think this was one of the best films to come out last year and it is one of Eastwood's better efforts 4.5/5   

Oscar Watch: American Hustle Review

From the opening of the film there is no doubt that David O Russell's American Hustle is an excursive in style. The film begins with great confidence in media res not giving the audience any background about what's happening and expecting us to instead focus on the characters and their interactions. This is a bold move in what turns out to be quite a bold movie: one that has glamorous stars and which appears to have a glamorous plot line but one which is inevitably far more about characters and their relationships than one might expect. American Hustle is a complex and highly stylish film which defies expectations to the point where I almost feel like it requires a second viewing.

The truth is that the plot is very complex. Much of it is actually purposefully shady and left for the end of the film but when watching it for the first time one does not know that. This film builds upon this complex tale of con men, politicians, and FBI agents with many character studies. The film really cares more about the people involved and less about explaining exactly what's going on. This may be frustrating to some viewers who went to the film expected a tightly plotted film like Argo. There is a plot and when it reaches its conclusion it makes sense but it is a little more complex than the average plot of a Hollywood film.

The acting is where this film really shines. Christian Bale completely transformed himself for the role of Irving and he truly embodies the character. It is hard to believe that this is the same actor who played the Dark Knight. Amy Adams gives a really fantastic performance as well, showing the weaknesses and vitality of character in subtle ways that help to illustrate who Sydney is. Bradley Cooper does a fine job as the FBI agent. Jeremy Renner really does a remarkable thing in making this targeted politician one whom we actually sympathize with. And Jennifer Lawrence managed to not only hold her own  in this cast but give one of the very best supporting screen performances this reviewer has ever seen. Her energy and the realism she brings to the role fill the movie with so much energy that you want to applaud when her scene has finished. There are some great cameos as well but to spoil those would be to ruin the fun and there is much fun to be had.

American Hustle is directed with incredible style. Russell infuses this film with both a glamorous style (reminiscent of Goodfellas) and his own particular style as seen in his other films. This movie has glamorous stars playing con games and a well chosen musical score to match but in the end it works because of the acting and the characters of the film. Russell understands this and does not let the style get ahead of him. He is a great actors' director because he plays to their performances. This film really has two styles and plays to both of them. The first style is one that is broad and extravagant with flowing camera movies and soaring seventies music. The second style is more intimate and character driven  with the camera closer to the actors and the music subdued. because of this there is a lot going on in American Hustle and it really is difficult to take it all in. I have not yet had the ability to view it a second time but if I did I think that I would have an even greater appreciation for it. As it stands this film has actors and a director at the top of his/their games and that's reason enough to see it. 4.5/5