Cry Macho
Mike Milo, a one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder, takes a job from an ex-boss to bring the man's young son home from Mexico.
- Released: 2021-09-16
- Runtime: 104 minutes
- Genre: Drama, Western
- Stars: Clint Eastwood, Eduardo Minett, Natalia Traven, Dwight Yoakam, Fernanda Urrejola, Horacio García Rojas, Marco Rodríguez, Paul Alayo, Brytnee Ratledge, Amber Lynn Ashley, Alexandra Ruddy, Sebestien Soliz, Daniel V. Graulau, Abiah Martinez, Ramona Thornton, Elida Munoz, Cesia Isabel Rosales, Jorge-Luis Pallo, Ana Rey, Rocko Reyes, Ruben Barela, Gianni Calchetti, Rob Estrada, Darlene Kellum, Fausto Olmos Rentería, Ivan Hernandez
- Director: Clint Eastwood
Comments
- waywarddrifters - 25 January 2024
Had so much potential, but....
This film could have really been something amazing. The storyline is solid, the direction and editing are strong, and the overall tone of the film is enjoyable. I will disagree with many who have said that Eastwood is too old to play a role like this, as he pulls it off wonderfully. The biggest issue I have is the weak performances by both Eduardo Minett and Dwight. Yoakam-especially the latter. I've never seen Dwight so stale in anything. It's almost like he was handed the script five minutes before they rolled camera or something. Minett has a few scenes where he delivers, but overall, his performance is monotonous and stale too. I'm not sure if it's the limited strength of the script, a rushed, post-Covid production, or a combination of all that and more, but what could have been one solid modern western ends up being a bit of a sad latter day performance by one of the most legendary western actor / directors ever.
With any luck, Eastwood might have one more in him, and it can redeem this failure. Is it worth a watch? Sure, so long as you don't expect much when it's said and done. - vivohambo - 21 November 2023
A beautiful film with an old, warm soul.
I'm probably writing this with alot of selfish sentiment, I lost my dad a year ago after caring for him and finding him all over again. Towards the end of this film, Clint says "like anything else in life, you think you got all the answers, then you realise when you get older that you don't have any of them. By the time you figure it out, it's too late. We all have to make choices in life kid, you have to make yours. Where do you wanna go?" This felt like I was able to spend time with dad again, watching Clint as we always used to yet I'm now watching a very old Clint play the role of my dad.
So regarding this film, it's one of Clint's warmest, most genuine films about someone who is old and is willing to change and not be too stubborn in life. The relation he builds with the boy and Macho is a beautiful thing to watch. If you loved The Straight Story by David Lynch, this is a very comfy pair of film slippers. Again, I'm writing this with alot of emotional bias but personally, thank you Clint for making this beautiful film, had me smiling and crying in equal large doses but now I have the perfect film to spend time with dad whenever I miss him. - kosmasp - 22 September 2023
Old man business
No pun intended - what can Clint do nowadays? Well a movie like this of course. Now his political stuff (convictions) aside, him talking to a chair if you remember. Anyway, we are not going to go into that - and try not to compare this with his other stuff either. I know there is a lot of baggage and a lot of history with him, but you can do it. This is not a young version, this is a grumpy old man ... who still can learn a thing or two.
That said, the story is quite straightforward and predictable. Still, there is fun you can have by going on the road with it. The actors are good, so why be ... too grumpy yourself and not just sit back and enjoy the ride? Almost literally ... sometimes an encounter, an unwilling one at that, can make for the best "friendships" ... or at least acquaintance ... Clint may have jumped the shark in other departments, but he still got it when it comes to movie making ... - chris-97762-79947 - 20 October 2022
A film too far.
Doesn't start or finish anywhere, I don't have any empathy with any character and you could sail a fleet of ocean-liners through all the holes in the script. Is the test of a good Director that they are able to discern that they themselves are unsuited for a lead role? What was going through Clint's mind when he was shooting the widow trying to get him (a 91 year old) into bed? I think we should pass around the hat to have all copies of this destroyed to preserve the dignity of Clint's lifetime body of work.
I'm a big fan of Clint but this is a movie too far. He is finally too old to play anyone and needs to stick to directing if he still can. A fabulous career deserves a better-ending than this. He's kind of doing a Joe Biden but I don't think a teleprompter would have helped in this case. - rodarena - 20 August 2022
Looks like a goodbye movie
I'm a Clint fan as a an actor and movie director however, on this one, it looks like a farewell movie for him. Unfortunately his too old to play some parts and the story is more of the same... nothing new. At the end I pay my respects for him, his resilience and all his great work. - madanmarwah - 20 July 2022
A creditable effort by actor director Clint Eastwood age 91
It is not easy to write a review of a Clint Eastwood movie without mentioning that at the age of 91 he still has the the energy and charisma to act as a cowboy and direct a movie shot mostly outdoors. He is indeed a phenomenon though of course he looks weather beaten and tired. His movies on the dollar series in the 60s and his role of a cop in Dirty Harry in 71 remain unforgettable. The present movie sees him playing an aged ex Rodeo star( Miko) in Texas who has been tasked by his ex-boss to get his 13 year old son ( Rafa) in Mexico from the clutches of his estranged wife Leta who is an alcoholic and treats the boy badly. Miko does manage to get hold of Rafa who is thrilled at the prospect of going to Texas to join his dad. Rafa has a rooster called Macho who goes with him everywhere. The movie depicts the obstacles in Miko's path as he escorts the boy back to Texas crossing the rough terrain. They are being followed by Leta's henchman out to grab and take back the boy. In this escape Miko is helped by a middle aged Mexican lady Marta running an eatery who provides them food and a place to stay. Miko develops a soft corner for this lady and she too likes him. Miko becomes a sort of mentor to Rafa and tell him many things like horse riding and about becoming a good man. He tells him that " macho" men are overrated and for Rodeo stars there is nothing brave about being tossed 10 feet in the air.
This plot has potential and could have been all speed and action, but with 91 year old director Clint Eastwood, it is a slow but eventful escape by car. The henchmen too are apparently laid back and slow since they never catch up with them. ( I feel this a major flaw but let it pass.) At least on two occasions Clint takes a nap before proceeding on the journey much to the resentment of Rafa. A critic has rightly summed up that " there are small events, beautifully shot, unhurried scenes". I couldn't agree more. Some have mentioned that the movie is slow What can you expect when the central character is a super senior citizen who is around 80 at least ? Overall it is an enjoyable movie with many heartwarming moments.
