Iraq war film 'American Sniper' divides Hollywood's left and right

Slammed as a jingoistic piece of propaganda by the left and praised as a tribute to heroes who sacrifice their life for their country by the right, the movie has, naturally, divided Hollywood.

By NOA AMOUYAL
Actress Sienna Miller (L), director Clint Eastwood and actor Bradley Cooper arrive for the premiere of the film "American Sniper" in New York (photo credit: REUTERS)
Actress Sienna Miller (L), director Clint Eastwood and actor Bradley Cooper arrive for the premiere of the film "American Sniper" in New York
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Despite raking in over $100 million at the box office, the controversy surrounding the Clint Eastwood film, American Sniper, has managed to draw more attention for its controversial reception than its unexpected earnings.
Slammed as a jingoistic piece of propaganda by the left and praised as a tribute to heroes who sacrifice their life for their country by the right, the movie has, naturally, divided Hollywood.
The most vocal celebrity criticism has come from Seth Rogen and Michael Moore. Although the two have since stepped back from their comments, that didn’t stop a storm of outrage within Hollywood.
Rogen’s comments that the movie reminded him of the Nazi propaganda displayed during Quentin Tarintino's Inglorious Basterds and Moore’s comment that he was raised to believe that snipers are “cowards,” outraged Hollywood’s right.

Sarah Palin took to Facebook to praise Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, of whom the film was based, and addressed her post to “Hollywood leftists,” saying, “while caressing shiny plastic trophies you exchange among one another while spitting on the graves of freedom fighters who allow you to do what you do, just realize the rest of America knows you're not fit to shine Chris Kyle's combat boots.”
Country star (and veteran) Craig Morgan took to Facebook to address Rogen personally: you don't know me nor did you know Chris Kyle (who was a Great American). I would be interested to know if you have a relationship with any American who served honorably in its military. Your statement is inaccurate and insensitive to Chris and his family.”
“I'm sick and tired of people like you running your mouth when you have no idea what it takes for this country to maintain our freedoms. If you and anyone like you don't like it, leave,” he wrote.
In response, Rogen took to Twitter to clarify his statement saying, “I just said something ‘kinda reminded’ me of something else. I actually liked American Sniper. It just reminded me of the Tarantino scene. I wasn't comparing the two. Big difference between comparing and reminding. Apples remind me of oranges. Can't compare them, though.“
In general, the film’s historical veracity has been questioned, especially its insinuation that the United States went to war with Iraq because of the September 11th attacks and al-Qaida.
American Sniper is currently up for six Academy Award nominations.