Actor Bradley Cooper responded to critics of the film “American Sniper” during an interview with NPR, alleging that the individuals knocking the film for its portrayal of the Iraq War are wrongly engaging in a “discussion that has nothing to do with vets.”
“The fact that it’s inciting a discussion that has nothing to do with vets — and it’s more about the Iraq War and what we did not do to indict those who decided to go to the war — every conversation that is in those terms … is moving farther and farther away from what our soldiers go through,” explained Cooper, who plays Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in the film and also had a hand in its production.
“And the fact that 22 vets commit suicide each day, you know, the amount of people that come home is so much greater because of medical advancement and … we need to take care of them,” added the actor.
Individuals like Jesse Ventura, Michael Moore and Seth Rogen have fueled criticism of the film with their own negative comments, while many — including Sen. John McCain and first lady Michelle Obama — have come to the movie’s defense.
Nevertheless, the film has been nominated for five Oscars, and Cooper himself has been nominated for best actor for his role as Kyle.
Listen to the full NPR interview below. The passage in question comes at about 11:00.
