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“The Mule” is Eastwood At His Best Both As an Actor and a Director

mule

Review overview

Review 8

Summary

8 tech score

 

“The Mule” (Warner Brothers)

The adage to never count the old guy out is quite apropos for Clint Eastwood’s new movie “The Mule.” Mr. Eastwood not only directed this film, he is also the star. It is a tour de force acting job, and the impeccable concept and presentation of the film must also be laid at Mr. Eastwood’s feet. In a career that has seen highs and lows this movie is one of Eastwood’s best efforts both as an actor and as a director.

The movie is based on the New York Times article “The Sinaloa Cartel’s 90 Year Old Drug Mule” by Sam Dolnick. In the movie the lead character is named Earl Stone (Eastwood) and he is a man in his eighties who loses his business of growing and selling flowers. Faced with forfeiture of his business and eviction from his home, Earl is ripe for a suggestion he can make money by simply driving from one location to another.

At first he ignores the strong suspicion he may be carrying drugs, but later when forced to accept that fact he continues his relationship with the Cartel. Hot on his heels are DEA Agents Bates and Trevino (Bradley Cooper and Michael Pena). His family has no idea of this new business but are aware that he has gone from poverty to plenty.

In a particularly poignant performance Dianne Wiest co-stars as Earl’s ex-wife Mary. Though they were only married ten years Mary has never been able to completely give up on her ex-husband. This is not true for their daughter Iris (Alison Eastwood). She is worn out from all the times Earl was supposed to show up for family events and didn’t. Now she has cut him out of her life. It is her daughter Ginny (Taissa Farmiga) who stays in touch with Earl and keeps trying to bring him back into the family fold.

In addition to the actors already named the cast also includes Andy Garcia as the head of the drug cartel; Laurence Fishbourne as Cooper and Pena’s DEA supervisor; and Ignacio Serricchio as Earl’s cartel handler. Each member of this ensemble is perfectly cast with even the most minor performances adding flavor and depth.

The movie is a carefully crafted work of art with Eastwood’s deft direction hovering over every scene. His character is the star of the show and Eastwood directs himself to one of his best performances ever. Earl is a fully defined character full of flaws but always possibly redeemable. Eastwood provides assorted nuances to give Earl an essence of truth in all things he does.

The film is rated R for profanity, violence and brief nudity.

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, well Eastwood doesn’t need any new tricks. He just needed to hone his skills even more sharply. That done he has presented a movie full of drama, humor and flat out entertainment. It is in my opinion one of the year’s best. Make sure you see it over the holiday season.

I scored “The Mule” a stubborn 8 out of 10.

Jackie K Cooper

www.jackiekcooper.com

Jackie Cooper

The author Jackie Cooper

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