After the abomination that was the 15:17 to Paris, Clint Eastwood redeems himself with The Mule, his latest directorial effort. Based on a true story, Eastwood plays a horticulturalist, Earl Stone, with a failed marriage behind him and now a collapsed business when internet flower sellers make his way of trading obsolete. A chance meeting leads him to finding a solution to his money problems, transporting drugs for a cartel, as no one would suspect a 90 year old who has not been in trouble with the law before…
Eastwood is on safe ground here, and this story is perfectly suited to his style. Despite the darkness at its centre, it is an easy going and charming ride. Writer Nick Schenk injects enough humour into the tale, and Eastwood easily relaxes into the role. Bradley Cooper appears in a supporting role Drugs Enforcement Agent on Earl’s trail. He shares the two best scenes with Eastwood, when they meet in a diner and when the drug runner is finally apprehended. Those almost felt like a handing over of the baton from one great actor-director, to potentially another.
It also makes an interesting companion piece with The Old Man and The Gun, released a couple of months ago. I don’t know whether, like Robert Redford, this will be Clint’s last appearance in a leading role, but he does look frail at times, and the laconic nature of the film gives it an end of an era feel.
Rating: 8 out of 10