An American Sniper in Selma

As the Clint Eastwood directed movie, "American Sniper" roars through the theaters, it causes one to think just how misdirected the American public really are. It also causes some concern about what is it that makes a nation choose a movie about a cold blooded killer who is sanctioned by the government, over one that gives us a historical perspective about our past.

Having seen both movies, "American Sniper" and "Selma" on the same day, Mad Man was able to put them in a perspective in which he could accept. American Sniper is about the greatest military sniper of all time, Chris Kyle, with over 100 kills and the story is told from his point of view. Most men will love this movie due to the violence and the calculated killing that takes place. There is also a storyline that includes a sniper from the other side.

It could easily have been one of those kill or be killed kind of war movies that excites young men until Kyle starts losing his comrades and returns home with PTSD. You can see that the killing takes a toll on him but in a very strange sort of way because he is not upset about those that he must kill, he is upset about his fellow marines that he couldn't save with his sharp shooting.

This movie grossed $ 90 million dollars in its first weekend of release which made it the greatest of all time. All of America flocked to see this picture and praised its story and although extremely violent, a good one, but again, what is America about when a picture like this overshadows one that is about one of the most historical moments in our lifetime.

"Selma" as directed by the African American woman, Ava Duvenay, earned $ 29 million dollars over the same time span which means that although it is already turning a profit, it pales in comparison to the earnings of American Sniper. As Mad Man sat in the predominately white and very quiet theater audience watching Selma, the thought crossed his mind that although these people were sincere in their wanting to see this movie, they still would rather forget that Selma ever actually happened.

There was a silence very similar to the silence in the theater where American Sniper was showing that caused one to think that the two movies caused their viewers to be very conflicted. In the end Chris Kyle became a rather sympathetic human being and Martin Luther King is well, Martin Luther King. Chris Kyle received a hero's welcome while many wished that the circumstances leading to the exploits of Dr. King had not happened. And since they did happen, many are trying to forget them because they open wounds on both sides of the color line.

All of America is still trying to deal with what happened in places like Selma and it appears that the greatness of this movie did nothing to open any dialogue about race. The only conversation about race in regards to Selma is that it was snubbed for best director and best actor at the Oscar nomination ceremony. Chris Kyle, the American Sniper on the other hand touched everyone in a way that made them think about what our veterans are going through when they come home from war.

Your comments and observations are always welcomed.

Mad Man