Clint Eastwood's film American Sniper tells the riveting true story of Chris Kyle, the ex-Navy SEAL who was considered the most lethal sniper in American history. But there is actually one person in the movie who was not given a proper portrayal, according to his wife, and that is Marc Lee, the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq.
His wife Maya Elbaum told Fox News that the film is "rightfully focused" on Chris and Taya's story, and that she's happy for the movie's success. But in her opinion, Lee's character was not given a just portrayal, and she feels the need to tell the world who her husband really was.
"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," she said.
Maya described Lee as a fierce fighter, a strong patriot, and a loving husband who went to battle with his whole heart. He "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," she said.
There was one thing the movie got right though, in her view, and that was the fact that Lee wanted to become a pastor. "He studied theology in hopes of becoming a pastor. It was during this time of deep reflection about his path in the world when he realised his true dream of becoming a Navy SEAL," shared his wife.
Maya said that Lee remained a devout Christian throughout his life. And despite their opposing religious views - she's Jewish - she said that they shared an "incredible, unequivocal love."
She also shed light on a letter Lee wrote. Chris's character commented in the movie, "The war didn't kill Marc, his letter did." Maya said that the line was misleading in that it suggests that Marc gave up on the mission and his reluctance caused his death.
"The letter that Marc wrote was never sent out to family. He died two weeks later on August 2, 2006. I decided to place the letter in the back of the pamphlet for his funeral service. I invite everyone to please read this letter in its entirety, and experience Marc's words as he intended – raw from the battlefield," she urged.
