CRY MACHO

 

The most important thing about CRY MACHO is that a 90-year old Clint Eastwood produced, directed, and starred in a major studio motion picture during a very complicated time in America. That fact is a testament to Eastwood's work ethic and no-nonsense attitude. 

As for the movie itself, it's a simple tale, with a leisurely pace and attitude. In 1980, elderly ranch hand Mike Milo (Clint Eastwood) is asked by his former boss (Dwight Yoakam) to bring back the man's estranged son from Mexico. The young teenager (Eduardo Minett) is involved in a dysfunctional situation, and Mike and the boy begin to bond as they slowly make they way back to the United States. 

There's nothing extraordinary or surprising about CRY MACHO. The story is quite familiar, and Eastwood fans will be reminded of THE MULE and GRAND TORINO (screenwriter Nick Schenk worked on those two films along with CRY MACHO). There's also elements from TROUBLE WITH CURVE and MILLION DOLLAR BABY. The plot of an older crotchety white guy bonding with a younger rebellious person is one that Eastwood has gotten a lot of use out of--heck, he was using it nearly 40 years ago with HONKYTONK MAN. 

What makes the movie work is Eastwood's understated directorial (and acting) style. He doesn't care about flashy editing or CGI tricks. Eastwood lets the story flow naturally, and the actors be themselves. He also lets Ben Davis'  classic-looking cinematography say more than dialogue or quick cuts. 

CRY MACHO isn't a over-the-top, two-hour plus franchise film--but that's what makes it so refreshing. You know what you are going to get with this movie....and what you get is a cultural icon that is still able to fulfill his fans' expectations. While watching CRY MACHO, I realized that Clint Eastwood has appeared on the big screen in EIGHT different decades.