Marc Lee was a Navy SEAL who fought alongside '"American Sniper" Chris Kyle. His character is familiar to the millions who have seen Clint Eastwood’s blockbuster film, though it may not be an accurate portrayal.
Maya Elbaum, Lee’s widow, is speaking out against the "liberties" Hollywood often takes with films, writing in an op-ed published by Fox News that ''Marc's truth and beliefs... were, in fact, deeply sacrificed for the film.''
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The character of Marc Lee falls short on everything that the real Marc Lee stood for and what Chris Kyle expresses about his brother and teammate in his book, which inspired the film.The movie portrays Marc as a reluctant warrior — one who seems casual in combat — who questions America's mission in Iraq. Nothing could be further from the truth.In contrast to the movie, Marc was a fierce fighter who believed he was making a difference in Iraq. He believed in the war with his whole heart and had a strong sense that his service had a higher purpose — not only for America, the country he loved, but to protect innocent Iraqis who lived in constant fear of terrorists. [Fox News]
Elbaum goes on to chronicle her late husband’s acts of valor, for which he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. She points to various scenes of the film as exaggerated or false, including "a confusing reference [that] seems to suggest Marc gave up on the mission.'"
"When you hear the name 'Marc Lee,'" Elbaum concludes, "know the real man was a strong patriot, fierce warrior and loving husband."
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