Reflection Paper:
Reflection Paper:
The pull of fiction when interspersed with even a small amount of reality is very often enough to engage the attention of a mass audience in regards to almost any subject. In catering to what people consider to be “true” and “factual” filmmakers tend to take great license with facts and how they wish to entertain their audiences. Not everything that is pushed upon the masses is popular for its views or the manner in which it is presented, but when matters are confronted that can cause people to feel and experience emotions in an unforeseen manner the result is often seen as a success. Films are meant to make the viewer feel, no matter the outcome.
The hit movie American Sniper is one such film that has seen the emergence of a number of emotions ranging from positive to outright enraged (Gates, 2015). Some would claim that the movie glorifies war and all its horrors in a manner that does not accurately define the role of United States soldiers while others would go so far as to be proud of the depiction of United States Seal Chris Kyle. While there is absolutely no doubt that war is anything but an attraction to be gawked at, the film goes into far more detail than some are willing to give it, showcasing very real sociological perspectives and issues that many veterans are afflicted with. In fact it has been noted that more than one veteran, overcome with some form of PTSD (Quinonez, 2015), had to leave the theater to collect themselves while viewing the film.
While many war movies paint soldiers as superheroes in some regard, devils in others,
and human beings that are otherwise far and above the average individual, American Sniper
takes a different tact. The lead character in the film is a human being, no more and no less.
While he possesses a unique skill set he is still capable of feeling, of experiencing the human
condition to which he was born. What this means is that he is capable of fear, of doubt, and of
seeking to keep a positive image of himself that can be seen by others. The message is clear that the life of a soldier is beyond that of a civilian, but it is still a life that is both fragile and plagued with emotions that at times can be unbalanced and very difficult to sort through.
The core of this movie, and the perspectives that are examined, lies in the fact that the main character could not leave the war behind, could not adjust to civilian life, and could not stand the guilt that came with knowing that he had not accomplished all he wanted. While many critics have spoken out about the film’s accuracy and its glorification of war many more viewers have come to understand that the emotions portrayed were the real intent. Showing how a man who has been trained to kill in service of his country and the effects it has upon him are the real meat of this story. Few times in the movie are there any questions as to the effect this is having upon the main character.
What is showcased is the plight of the soldier who cannot separate civilian life from the service they give to their country. The support they need is at times the support that is not given, the needed recovery that is necessary to let civilian life continue forward (Griggs & Leopold, 2015). Adjusting back to life away from the battlefield is not an easy task for many soldiers as is outlined in this movie, as it is seen that many soldiers still suffer from PTSD and the effects of what they may have done during combat. The guilt they feel at the loss of comrades and others is no doubt unbearable, and is yet another perspective that is showcased and examined.
The life of a soldier is hardly an easy one as American Sniper depicts. Unlike many other
war-influenced movies though the sociological perspectives seen within the film are far more
realistic and down to earth. While many films do not wish to broach the subject of what happens
pain that is endured causes the audience to feel, and that is what is desired.
References
Gates, Z. (2015). American Sniper and the Critical Perspective. Sociology of Popular Culture.
Retrieved from
http://cucpopculture.weebly.com/zachary-gates/american-sniper-and-the-critical-perspective
Griggs, B. & Leopold, T. (2015). What people get wrong about ‘American Sniper’. CNN.
Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/23/entertainment/american-sniper-misunderstood-feat/
Quinonez, L. (2015). American Sniper Film Addresses Important Social Issues, Veteran
Treatment and PTSD. The Arkansas Traveler. Retrieved from
http://www.uatrav.com/opinion/article_7c1c5120-ac0e-11e4-bc4b-2bb69a5fbd42.html
