After directing over thirty films, Clint Eastwood digs into the real life story of U.S. Navy, Seal Chris Kyle. Kyle was a sniper who was credited with 160 confirmed kills and most famously known, as “the deadliest sniper in U.S. history.”

“American Sniper” tells Kyle’s story through his four tours in Afghanistan, the psychological struggles that he went through on the battlefield, and at home with his wife and two kids.

This is arguably Eastwood’s best-directed film and Bradley Cooper’s best performance as Kyle.  Everyone in the film gives commanding performances including Sienna Miller who portrays Kyle’s wife.

The way Cooper plays Kyle is nothing short of amazing. Cooper does not just portray Kyle, but he immerses himself within the role so well that every emotion is raw and nothing short of award worthy. Kyle in the film is certain that the tragic things he has done in the name of war is for the protection of his family and country. However, Kyle refuses to acknowledge the psychological toll that the war is having on him as he increasingly becomes strained from his wife after each tour.

In turn, Miller’s portrayal of Kyle’s wife, Taya, is heart breaking as she constantly reaches for a husband that is retreating further away from her with his refusal to discuss the things he did during his tours.The supporting cast that includes Luke Grimes (“Taken 2”)  and Cory Hardrict ( “Gran Torino”). They give great performances in their supporting roles.

Aside from the acting, the action is amazingly choreographed with top-notch sound and special effects (SFX).  Discharges from sniper rifles and explosions are loud, and the camera clearly follows the action without any unnecessary “shaky cam.” Eastwood depicts the action in such a professionally gritty and intense form that every action sequence is nerve-wracking and immersive.

The action is disturbing and at times hard to watch, but that is the point of “American Sniper.” War is horrific and the consequences for those that are involved are even worse.

The music in the film is equally intense with every pulse-pounding beat that fills the background during the action sequences, which adds more tension.

Certain moments in the film are pure silence, including the credits after a memorial montage. It features no soundtrack and leaves an eerie powerful conclusion to this man’s story.

Perhaps the best thing about this film is how this is not a movie about war, rather a character study that focuses on the individuals unfortunate enough to be involved and the effects that did not just stay on the battlefield, but were carried home as well.

Everything about this movie, aside from a painfully obvious fake baby stand in, screams award recognition. This film will no doubt be the pinnacle of everyone’s career including Cooper and Eastwood.

This is a film that will stand the test of time and will be remembered for not just being a powerfully acted war film, but a memoir that honors a man who served and risked it all to protect his loved ones and the freedom of American Citizens.