Giving one of his signature heartwarming performances, Clint Eastwood’s newest film Cry Macho is uplifting and passionate. Acting, storytelling and subject matter work well in this drama that features a boy’s challenges of making the right choices and a cowboy’s determination to help the teen achieve his dreams. A tip of the hat to Eduardo Minett on his first big screen performance.
Nearing the end of his time working for Howard Polk (Dwight Yoakam), ex-rodeo star Mike Milo (Clint Eastwood) has lost some spirit now in his twilight years. Always ready when asked for a favor, Mike never refuses. However, he’s no pushover either when it comes to asking him to do the impossible. When the boss asks him for some payback for the many favors he gave him by bringing his teenage son Rafa (Eduardo Minett) back from Mexico, Mike resists.
Finally agreeing, he heads to Mexico to even the score between him and the boss. There he visits the ranchero of Howard’s ex-wife Leta (Fernanda Urrejola) who has a grudge with Howard. Finding out that Rafa is more of a delinquent that’s a handful, he hesitates about completing the job. Writers Nick Schenk and N. Richard Nash deliver a cool drama that plays out well on the big screen. Pitting the tough ex-rodeo great against a kid that has no future, forms opposing storms. It’s a good theme and one that Eastwood and Minett put to the test.
The theme has been used before, but not quite this way. Eastwood shows what a 90-year-old can do when faced with a challenge, and comes up a winner. Cast performances range from powerful to romantic as he moves them from script to screen making the film compelling and even a bit unpredictable at times.
Cry Macho has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for language and thematic elements. The film’s target audience is mature students to everyone beyond. I rate it very good to excellent depending on age group.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Natalie Traven, Eduardo Minett, Dwight Yoakam
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Genre: Drama, Thriller
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and thematic elements.
Running Time: 1hr. 44 min.
Opening Date: September 17, 2021
Distributed by: Warner Bros.
Released in: Theaters, HBO Max
