Rita's is here, and Mark's is here.
In writing a review of this movie, it occurs to me that I might write about:
- The story,
or - How the story was told
I'll shoot for both.
So, the Story is good.
It's inspirational.
It's about an American youth raised with American values who at a young age is taught and encouraged to stand up for others. The Sheepdog.
He then meets adulthood with his career choice being "cowboy".
After a while of that he realizes he has a higher calling.
The Sheepdog.
He joins the Navy with the intention of being a SEAL.
And does so.
He marries.
He serves.
He tries to find a balance between the two.
He doesn't do well at that and struggles, obviously drawn to battle as most combat vets separated from their battle buddies become.
He completes his combat role and returns home safe.
He finds a way of continuing to serve while at home and out of harm's way.
His marriage flourishes.
He dies serving a fellow veteran.
How the story is told is a different story.
This is a story that probably needed more screen time.
The childhood formative narrative is rushed.
The cowboy narrative is rushed and to me, confusing.
It mainly presents a man who is lost, not knowing his true calling yet, but does not show him conflicted over that. Perhaps that is true to life in Kyle's case. I don't know.
It just comes off to me as disjointed.
Once Kyle hits BUDS, everything comes together story telling wise and story wise.
Kyle has found himself. He is who he is meant to be.
After this, the storytelling seems to smooth out also, so perhaps this was Clint's technique.
The movie ends somewhat abruptly.
We see no indication of the writing of the book or it's impact on his life.
We see him leave his wife and children to help another vet but (especially since the trial is ongoing), we see none of the events directly leading to his death.
So, in summary, I liked the movie.
A lot.
I loved the story.
I wonder how much of the editing was done by Clint or to him, but the movie felt rushed.
I'd like to know whether you agree or not.
He then meets adulthood with his career choice being "cowboy".
After a while of that he realizes he has a higher calling.
The Sheepdog.
He joins the Navy with the intention of being a SEAL.
And does so.
He marries.
He serves.
He tries to find a balance between the two.
He doesn't do well at that and struggles, obviously drawn to battle as most combat vets separated from their battle buddies become.
He completes his combat role and returns home safe.
He finds a way of continuing to serve while at home and out of harm's way.
His marriage flourishes.
He dies serving a fellow veteran.
How the story is told is a different story.
This is a story that probably needed more screen time.
The childhood formative narrative is rushed.
The cowboy narrative is rushed and to me, confusing.
It mainly presents a man who is lost, not knowing his true calling yet, but does not show him conflicted over that. Perhaps that is true to life in Kyle's case. I don't know.
It just comes off to me as disjointed.
Once Kyle hits BUDS, everything comes together story telling wise and story wise.
Kyle has found himself. He is who he is meant to be.
After this, the storytelling seems to smooth out also, so perhaps this was Clint's technique.
The movie ends somewhat abruptly.
We see no indication of the writing of the book or it's impact on his life.
We see him leave his wife and children to help another vet but (especially since the trial is ongoing), we see none of the events directly leading to his death.
So, in summary, I liked the movie.
A lot.
I loved the story.
I wonder how much of the editing was done by Clint or to him, but the movie felt rushed.
I'd like to know whether you agree or not.
