"(Clint Voice) Gimme that doll, kid."
Many people were surprised when American Sniper managed to nab six Academy Awards nominations — either because those people hated the movie or because they loved it and were confused why it was nominated in certain categories and not others. This scene may shed some light on the latter, i.e. why Bradley Cooper was nominated as Best Actor but Clint Eastwood was not nominated for Best Director:
It’s supposed to be a dramatic scene between Cooper’s re-enlisting Navy SEAL and his wife (Sienna Miller). And Cooper and Miller are there, doing their damnedest to emote and be present in the scene while carrying around a fake plastic baby. That is courageous acting. It is not the best directing choice.
NEWS: Michael Moore didn’t love ‘American Sniper’ — find out why!
While half of the Internet rages over what defines a modern day hero, turning the tragedies of war into entertainment, and the responsibility of accurately portraying PTSD, the other half is just LOL-ing over this fake baby, who has been blasted as “dead,” “creepy” and “shamefully promoting unrealistic beauty standards for babies.”
Look at Cooper trying to move it’s little hand to make it look real! LOL!
There’s been a lot of speculation as to why a baby wasn’t cast for the scene — to cut budget costs, because Eastwood is a notoriously fast-paced director and actual human babies slow the process — but the real reason appears to be far less calculated.
NEWS: ‘American Sniper’ star Sienna Miller blasts Hollywood’s sexism
Screenwriter and executive producer Jason Hall tweeted (then deleted) journalist Mark Harris explaining: “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.”
At least that baby provided a lighter side to American Sniper debates?
I don't get all the American Sniper love. But I do understand Bradley Cooper's nom.He had to hold that fake baby and not laugh.That's skill!
— Ruth (@BabyRuthCT) January 15, 2015Now, watch Bradley Cooper get emotional in trailer for ‘American Sniper’:
