Cry macho

Clint Eastwood is undoubtedly one of the last great Hollywood directors, a gifted actor who has fascinated many generations of spectators, but also a wise screenwriter who signed memorable and timeless films such as The Gauntlet (1977), Pale Rider (1985), Heartbreak Ridge (1986), Unforgiven (1992), The Bridges of Madison County (1995), Absolute Power (1997), Million Dollar Baby (2004), Gran Torino (2009).  Certainly, his latest films may seem minor compared to the many films that have made Clint Eastwood a beloved actor and whose personification of Dirty Harry Callahan has left an indelible mark in the memory of all moviegoers. However, Clint Eastwood continues to make films with great care and has approached themes that he likes and specially to address through his eyes the current America. 

Cry Macho is one of the few recent films in which he is the lead actor, director and producer. It is easy to understand the strong bond that unites the character he plays, Mike Milo, and the fact that at 91 years of age he no longer has the same strength that he had in the past. In this Cry Macho easily plays the nostalgia card and reminds us, despite a rather simplistic story, to what extent Clint Eastwood has left his indelible mark on a whole part of American cinema.  The writer N. Richard Nash and screenwriter Nick Schenk adapt his own novel of the same name and a perfect book role for Clint Eastwood.

Mike Milo (Clint Eastwood) is a former rodeo star and breathless horse breeder who, in 1979, accepts a contract from his former boss to bring back the latter's young son from Mexico. Forced to take the back roads to Texas, this unlikely duo faces an unexpectedly difficult journey, during which the two men will get to know and appreciate each other. They will also meet a Mexican widow and her grandchildren. This reconstituted family will learn in a few days to see the world differently.

In the role of this old, hardened and solitary cowboy, Clint Eastwood finds a role made to measure and shows us that despite his age, his acting talents have lost none of their strength. As in his previous films, he also remains faithful to the themes that are close to his heart, such as the paternal bond and the omnipresent violence in a world that is losing its bearings. Of course, Cry-Macho does not have the same emotional strength as Gran Torino, but it confirms Clint Eastwood's undeniable talent as a storyteller, as comfortable in the past in action films, dramas and psychological thrillers. 

Certainly, here the pace of the film is rather slow and the lack of action makes Cry macho an intimate drama with hints of western far from the strength of Clint Eastwood's previous films. However, this rhythm suits perfectly this film and Clint Eastwood's will to deliver a more personal film and thus in his own way to show new facets of the American hero that this actor has built through different films. The result is a film that is endearing, simple and perfectly mastered like most of Clint Eastwood's films.

Cry Macho
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Screenplay by Nick Schenk, N. Richard Nash
Based on Cry Macho by N. Richard Nash
Produced by Albert S. Ruddy, Tim Moore, Jessica Meier, Clint Eastwood
Starring Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Cinematography : Ben Davis
Edited by Joel Cox, David Cox
Music by Mark Mancina
Production company : Malpaso Productions
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date : September 17, 2021 (United States), November 10, 2021 (France)
Running time : 104 minutes

Seen on September 17, 2021

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