Cry Macho has not been well reviewed but with the chance to see only one film this weekend, it had to be this. After all, how many more films does the legendary Clint Eastwood, who stars and directs, have left? Here, he plays Mike Milo, an ex-rodeo star who takes a job bringing a friend’s young son, Rafo, currently living with his hard-drinking mother, back to him. The lad agrees to go and they set off but are pursued by men hired by his Mum.
This is a pretty simple story. A languorous road movie that takes a lengthy stop to allow Clint quietly romance a restaurant owner, Marta. A lot of the negativity around this film has concentrated on the fact that the actress playing Marta, Natalia Traven, is in her 50s so is nearly 40 years younger than Eastwood. But, I think it is easy to understand how Marta, with her tragic backstory, would be attracted to the decent and dignified Mike.
In fact this is a really outstanding performance by Eastwood. He does show every one of his 91 years and his delivery on how men waste their time being macho is truly moving. Unfortunately, Eduardo Minett as Rafo cannot measure up. It must be hard acting in your second language but he does struggle with his line delivery at times and that highlights a few weaknesses in Nick Schenk and N. Richard Nash’s uneven screenplay.
Despite those issues though, this was a pleasure to watch. Eastwood’s usual unfussy direction, coupled with Ben Davis’ stunning cinematography, and Mark Macncina’s sparse score make this a must see on the big screen. Following The Mule and Richard Jewell, it is safe to say that the dreadful ’15:17 to Paris’ was a blip rather than an indication of a decline in Eastwood’s powers.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10