Based on the memoir of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, the film follows his journey from a Texas rodeo cowboy to becoming the deadliest sniper in U.S. military history with 160 confirmed kills. The "Sheepdog" Philosophy:
A significant portion of the film focuses on Kyle’s post-traumatic stress. Bradley Cooper’s performance illustrates a soldier who is "there but not there," showing how the hyper-vigilance required for survival in Iraq becomes a liability in a quiet American suburb. Cinematic Techniques Movie Review: American Sniper (2014) *Mild Spoilers