Why does Clint Eastwood's American Sniper film use a very obviously fake baby? The film's writer has the answer...
NewsThe success of Clint Eastwood'sAmerican Snipermovie continues to spark debate and conversation. Having taken over $90m at the US box office over the weekend, the film has been heavily criticised for taking a limited perspective. On the other hand, in many quarters it's been praised as a patriotic war movie.
In response to many of the criticisms that have been aimed at the film, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has become the latest to leap to American Sniper's defense. If you needed any further proof as to what a political football the movie has become.
Palin wrote on Facebook that "Hollywood leftists: 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. May the epic American Sniper bring nothing but blessings to Taya and the children of this true American hero. Thank you Bradley Cooper and Clint Eastwood for respecting the United States Military."
Palin's words come a day or two after Michael Moore's implied criticism of the film, where he argued on Twitter that "we were taught snipers were cowards." He distanced that from specific criticism of the movie, however.
Aside from the political debate that continues to rumble on surrounding American Sniper, the other issue that keeps coming up is the scene in the film where Bradley Cooper is holding a baby. Bluntly, it's the most clearly fake baby we think we'd ever seen in a big Hollywood movie.
It's probably best we just show you if you've not seen it yet...
So: what happened?
Well, according to writer Jason Hall on Twitter (in a Tweet he's since deleted), "hate to ruin the fun but real baby #1 showed up with a fever. Real baby #2 was no show. (Clint voice) Gimme the doll, kid."
Whatever the reasoning for the scene, it would be fair to say that it sticks out a bit. Not that it's doingAmerican Sniper's box office any harm at all - it also topped the chart in the UK over the weekend...
