American Sniper (2014)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2179136/

I was looking forward to this film, but was disappointed by the lack of likability or empathy from either of the leads. I wanted to like Bradley Cooper in this role, but he seemed to be channelling Billy Bob Thornton's Slingblade style of speech, and forgetting sometimes that he was from Texas. Overall, he was just generally unlikeable - insular, stern, impassive - the very traits needed for an elite sniper, but so then who cares? Similarly, Sienna Miller as Taya fails to be likeable, clingy and bossy and shrill. And there is zero chemistry between them to account for either their instant or their long-standing romance. While the war-time situations are (most likely) based in fact (but are also lacklustre), the at-home stories feel contrived and lame, especially the closing scenes of Chris' departure, which could hardly have had more melodrama. A sad presentation of what could have been an inspiring story of a heroic life.