Cry Macho

Cry Macho is a film with an old soul. Clearly, having Clint Eastwood (a 91 year old man) as both the protagonist and director contributes to that, but there is more to it. Everything about this production is slow and mellow, never getting too intense. The story is straightforward, small, and predictable. The editing is calm. The acting is gentle. Honestly, many viewers will find Cry Macho boring and they will have good reason. However, that doesn't make the movie bad.

In fact, Cry Macho is proficient from a technical perspective. Although it is rather passive, that is its goal. The story is of a tired, old cowboy who is somewhat defeated by life. It is fitting that the film would embody these resigned feelings. Add in apt themes addressing toxic masculinity and the result is concrete messaging. It's conventional and understated, but this film has its merits. Therefore, even though Cry Macho is certainly not a movie with wide appeal, it should be generally respected.

Writing: 6/10 Direction: 7/10 Cinematography: 7/10 Acting: 7/10 Editing: 8/10 Sound: 7/10 Score/Soundtrack: 7/10 Production Design: 8/10 Casting: 7/10 Effects: 6/10

Overall Score: 7.0/10.

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.

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.