Cry Macho

We recently watched The Mule and I was surprised Clint still had it in him to make a great film, but this one didn't reach the same level for me. Beautifully filmed, as all his movies are, but a predictable story with lame, and sometimes cringey, dialogue, and the kid was trying way too hard to act. Dwight Yoakam phoned in his part as well. The best acting was done by the rooster, honestly.

All in all, not unwatchable, but not one of his better ones.

So listen, this isn't The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. There aren't a lot of gun fights or bar fights. It's just simple tender storytelling. And that's enough for me.

There's not much one might say for Clint Eastwood left to conquer. He made the definitive western plus created the blueprint for all cop movies afterall. Even gave us some comedic relief. Yet at over 80 he's still a creative force. What seems left is just to wind down and enjoy himself. That's the feeling one gets when watching Cry Macho.

Cry Macho is a very humble little story. No action to speak of and insertions of the warm and fuzzy instead. He still comes out a hero if on a small scale in a western motif. So lower your expectations and let the man entertain you with a heart in hand victory lap. I actually enjoyed the ride.

You have to be a die hard fan of Clint Eastwood, very very die hard buff of this icon of the movie industry to really appreciate this film where there is no surprise at all, unless you have never seen a movie with Eastwood as an actor. The directing and acting, of course, as usual with him, are flawless, I would say awesome, but sooo predictable. You can also see it as a kind of testament feature, as if he knew that it would be his last performance, at the age of 91. A kind of summary of his life and career. Some poignant moments between him and the young boy, no one could deny it. But for me it remains a film with, for and only about Eastwood. I will never say it's a bad film, no, but that's exactly what I was afraid of. Because I have never liked this actor, nearly always the same kinds of characters; ALWAYS. But he is a legend, a myth of the movie history. And an awesome director too, gifted, sensitive, unique.

This film is a slow burn, character story not an action packed flick. It's not perfect, and not one of Clint's best, but it's enjoyable and sweet. Yes, the film is predictable, the mom's character was unrealistic and a bit over-the-top (as were others), and there were some elements that were definitely far fetched/unrealistic, but we really enjoyed the heartwarming relationship that grows between the old, ex-rodeo rider, Mike Milo and the 13-year-old ornery, skeptical, neglected boy, Rafo; and the rooster added some fun and humor. It's a clean movie without language or nudity and a tender story at heart, IMHO! Sept2021.