CRY MACHO (2021, USA, 104m, 12) ***
Drama, Thriller
dist. Warner Bros.; pr co. Malpaso Productions / Ruddy Productions / Warner Bros.; d. Clint Eastwood; w. Nick Schenk, N. Richard Nash (based on the novel by N. Richard Nash); pr. Clint Eastwood, Jessica Meier, Tim Moore, Albert S. Ruddy; ph. Ben Davis (Technicolor | 2.39:1); m. Mark Mancina; ed. David S. Cox, Joel Cox; pd. Ronald R. Reiss; ad. Gregory G. Sandoval.
cast: Clint Eastwood (Mike Milo), Dwight Yoakam (Howard Polk), Eduardo Minett (Rafo), Natalia Traven (Marta), Fernanda Urrejola (Leta), Horacio Garcia Rojas (Aurelio), Ivan Hernandez (Lucas), Lincoln A. Castellanos (Zafiro), Marco Rodríguez (Porfirio), Jorge-Luis Pallo (Deputy Diaz), Ana Rey (Señora Reyes), Rocko Reyes (Captain Garcia), Paul Lincoln Alayo (Sergeant Perez), Elida Munoz (14-Year-Old Granddaughter), Cesia Isabel Rosales (10-Year-Old Granddaughter), Abiah Martinez (6-Year-Old Granddaughter), Ramona Thornton (4-Year-Old Granddaughter), Juan Mendoza Solis (Bartender), Daniel V. Graulau (Mexican Border Officer), Amber Lynn Ashley (Hippie Girl).
This leisurely character drama sees Eastwood return to acting as Mike Milo, a one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder who, in 1979, takes a job from an ex-boss (Yoakam) to bring the man’s young son (Minett) home from Mexico. When they are forced to take the backroads to Texas, the pair connect with a Mexican widow (Traven) and her family. The enjoyment comes from watching the veteran Eastwood at work one final time and his interactions with Minett recall themes explored, more successfully, in 2008’s GRAN TORINO. The story’s focus shifts to Eastwood finding his own redemption after years of being unsettled following the death of his wife and son – his bonding with Minett and then Traven filling the void this past tragedy had left in his life. Eastwood’s charisma continues to shine through, despite him being too old for the part he is playing, but the story’s shifting narrative leaves several character stories unresolved and ultimately the film’s potential is not fully met.
