In this tragically heroic tale of an American navy seal, Bradley Cooper gives his best performance yet. Chris Kyle, deemed the "deadliest sniper in U.S. history," was an American hero who was killed by a troubled marine he was trying to help. This movie tells he and his family's story beautifully. Everything is done so simply and respectfully.
While I love movie music, the lack of it in this movie is perfection simply because they save the most beautiful and thoughtful music moment for the end. There are a couple songs used earlier in the movie; one at their wedding by Van Morrison, and one called "Taya's theme," which plays throughout the movie and has a delicate sound. The real cinematic triumph was actually at the end of the movie, after Kyle leaves to go shooting with a marine whom he's trying to help out. The screen goes black and we begin to hear drums as a message in white comes up that says "Chris Kyle was killed that day by a veteran he was trying to help." The drums we hear are the beginning of "The Funeral," composed by Ennio Morricone. A soft wall of sound is complimented by a trumpet playing a beautifully simple tune. The understated sound makes overwhelms you with sadness, pride, and a sense of respect so strong that you can't help but sit in silence and watch as the procession goes by.
I saw this movie in theaters twice and I couldn't tell you what it sounds like to hear an audience talking over this ending scene and credits. Everyone was quiet, whether it be out of respect for him, or because the music just made you feel like listening- for me it was an overwhelming amount of both. Even after the funeral is over and regular credits play, as everyone gets up from their seat, all you hear is shuffling foot steps. This is the first and only time that I've ever witnessed this happen, making it in my eyes, which were filled with tears both times, one of the best cinematic accomplishments in a long time.
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