Still going strong, Eastwood does not disappoint in his latest movie. And yes, there was even a few minutes of action.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This macho thing is overrated. Just people trying to show that they've got grit. That's about all they end up with. It's like anything else in life: you think you got all the answers, then you realize, as you get older, you don't have any of them.”

Clint Eastwood, man what a legend. My respect for this man hasn’t faded.

What’s even more impressive is that at the age of 91 he’s still acting and making movies, which is really inspiring.

Also, the fact that 90-year-old Eastwood starred/directed a movie during the global pandemic, where he was the most vulnerable, it’s kind of mind blowing and it's something that I can't get pass.

Now for the movie itself, it’s an uneven road trip movie that’s more aimed for an older demographic. I don’t know how to describe it, but everything felt stilted in terms of pace and the film making. The movie also has some questionable scene transitions, such as cutting to ‘one year later’, which made the previous scenes seem unnecessary.

Even then, Clint Eastwood is still charming, and he made me smile at times. Also, the movie looked beautiful.

Although, from how I see things, Eastwood is “the last cowboy” in cinema. From Sergio Leone till now. This movie reflects on that deeply in every visual. His character Mike is past his prime; where horse riding and the inner grit of the west has become a distant memory as the modern age comes creeping in. But of course, in the end he is the hero, like he always has been.

This film was fine, but for me not quite what i expect from Eastward’s more recent efforts. His acting was good in his laid back style and carried the movie in places, I thought, but I was a bit distracted by the more lackluster performance of a few others. Dwight Yoakum, for example, whose singing I have always enjoyed, seemed to deliver his lines woodenly at times.

But I won’t dwell on critiquing here and there. Overall it was watchable. It just seems like it could have shown more spark if Eastward had lit a fire under a few butts during some of the scenes. Maybe by planting that doleful, slow-burn stare on them, hand twitching near the holster that wasn’t there.

The writing was pitiful, and the acting was mediocre, at best. Clint Eastwood is way too old to even attempt being a romantic lead. The senoritas making a play for him was farcical. He's also too old to be an action star. As far as bustin' broncos, you could almost see the stunt man being called in to take the reins. The kid was supposed to be a streetwise hellion, but the only hint of that was that he could apparently boost old cars. Overall, if you have good memories of Clint Eastwood, my advice is to skip this movie and avoid tarnishing your image of Clint.

**_Teaching a boy the ropes of life while traveling through Mexico_**

An old-as-dirt ex-rodeo star (Clint Eastwood) is given the task of bringing back the early- teen son of a rancher (Eduardo Minett and Dwight Yoakam respectively) from Mexico City to west Texas in which they have several misadventures. Fernanda Urrejola plays the boy’s mother while Natalia Traven is on hand as a woman they meet along the way.

“Cry Macho” (2021) has similarities to past Eastwood flicks, like “The Mule” (2018), “Gran Torino” (2008), “A Perfect World” (1993), “Honkytonk Man” (1982) and “Bronco Billy” (1980). It’s a road movie wherein the characters get to know each other as they go from one experience to another. The nuance here is contrast of one character coming-of-age while the other is coming-near-death.

There’s drama, humor, potential violence and a hint of romance. Like “The Mule” and “Bronco Billy,” it’s thoroughly mundane, but also somehow (a little) revelational and heartwarming. "All the Pretty Horses" (2000) is also comparable, as is "Rambo: Last Blood" (2019), just minus the action.

The film runs 1 hour, 44 minutes, and was shot in the heart of New Mexico (Belen and Polvadera).

GRADE: B/B-