Bradley Cooper's 'memorable' movie hailed 'first great film made about the war in Iraq' now on Netflix

American Sniper was released in 2014 and is based on the real-life memoir of Chris Kyle, who served four tours in the Iraq War

Bradley Cooper takes the lead in a film that audiences have hailed as "powerful", yet he was overlooked for an Oscar for his "memorable" performance.

American Sniper, a 2014 war drama directed by Clint Eastwood, is now streaming on Netflix and is based on the real-life memoir of Chris Kyle. After completing four tours in the Iraq War, the highly decorated Navy SEAL penned his experiences into what became a best-selling book in 2012.

The film adaptation, featuring Cooper as Kyle, hit the screens just two years later, following the tragic murder of the Navy SEAL. At the time of his demise, Kyle held the record as the most lethal sniper in US military history, with 255 confirmed kills during his service in Iraq.

One critic described the film as "Powerful, emotional, and very gritty" on Rotten Tomatoes. They praised: "Directed to a tee by Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper excels as usual exceptionally well in character. Top-class cinematography and writing.Another review reads: ".

Another review stated: "Succeeds in gripping you to the point where you can almost experience the settings physically. Outstanding on absolutely every level. Truly a memorable movie about a memorable man.", reports the Mirror US.

While Kyle was a revered war hero, his multiple tours in Iraq strained his family life, impacting his relationship with his now widowed wife, Taya Kyle, portrayed by Sienna Miller in the film.

American Sniper soared to become the top-grossing war film ever, surpassing Saving Private Ryan, and remains the most successful movie in the director's portfolio. The film didn't just make waves at the box office; it also garnered nominations in major categories at the 2015 BAFTAs and Academy Awards.

Bradley Cooper was in the running for Best Actor, and the film itself was a contender for Best Picture. However, the movie only clinched one Oscar for Best Sound Editing.

A Rotten Tomatoes review expressed disbelief, stating: "How Bradley Cooper didn't win Best Actor and the film not winning Best Picture are both so far beyond me it's tragically funny."

Cooper's performance has been lauded by many, with one viewer commenting, "Bradley Cooper is amazing in this."

Another review praised the film as a "Really strong, powerful war film about one brave, intelligent sniper soldier... Bradley Cooper's performance is truly marvelous, and the sound design is really fantastic to capture real war effects."

The film delves into the enduring physical and emotional toll that war veterans bear, with Kyle being no exception. It explores PTSD, a mental health condition common among surviving soldiers, which viewers found to be an "educational" aspect of the film.

Discussing the mental health aspect, one viewer noted: "I liked how the movie turned to the subject of the PTSD so many veterans experience."

However, they also felt this theme could have been introduced earlier in the film, describing its late introduction as "jarring."

For those interested in delving into the true story of a decorated US Navy SEAL, American Sniper is available for viewing on Netflix.