The Mule

"Thanks, Grandpa." – "You're welcome, dykes." Clint Eastwood is a sure thing. While The Mule (if you compare it to the last few films he's been in) isn't as strong as Gran Torino or Million Dollar Baby, it's thankfully much better than Trouble with the Curve. It's a fun and touching film with a laid-back atmosphere interspersed with some suspense, with one incredibly admirable guy in the main role and the director's chair. Earl Stone is one of his most sympathetic characters. (03/26/2019)

The Mule doesn't rely on pure rawness and relentless depression like Gran Torino or Million Dollar Baby. Clint Eastwood's latest film has a fairly laid-back undertone, which, given the subject matter of smugglers and the cartel, might seem like a mistake, even an oxymoron, but the opposite is true. Clint manages to dance, sing and cackle like a young man on the cusp of 90, with a few kilos of drugs here and there. Besides the smuggling line, the film also focuses on family-relationship themes, and even though it plays on emotions at times, I still welcomed this level and didn't mind it. It's not Clint's masterpiece, but the film still thrills, entertains and moves, and that's what cinema is all about. And the icing on the cake is the absolutely superb cast. (03/21/2019)

An honest farewell picture about a florist who realizes in the end that family is more important than work. In terms of plot, this is a classic rise-and-fall story, but with the title role played by 90-year-old Clint, who thoroughly enjoys himself. Mr. Charisma sees no problem in taking two hookers to his motel room or calling black people “niggers"; he just puts on his innocent old-man face and gets away with it. He has a good relationship with the boys from the cartel until they start to talk about efficiency and growth. He even learns how to write texts. Humorous sequences alternate incredibly naturally with suspenseful and downright sad ones. Old school. I have a clear retirement plan. (03/27/2019)

Without the necessary dramatic drive, The Mule is a lukewarm cup of afternoon tea. Interesting thanks only to Eastwood’s personality and his old man of questionable character who, as a husband, dad and grandpa, tries to improve the relationships in his family. This level does not bring forth anything powerful, much less original, and the thriller plotline focused on smuggling looks nicely oldschool, but it doesn’t captivate. The villains are not scary enough, and we are not that worried about our “hero” being imperiled by them. Maybe because almost no one in his story would really miss him. (12/24/2018)

Clint Eastwood is still in fine form at 88, both as a director and actor, and he's chosen a decently attractive subject, one of the oldest drug smugglers ever. Eastwood does a great job, dancing, drinking, having a threesome with two babes, moving drugs in huge quantities back and forth, and managing to properly wisecrack. The pair of agents, Bradley Cooper and Michael Peña, always on Clint's heels, are also very good. A very easy-going and enjoyable film that will entertain, thrill, move and put a smile on your face. Those who like Eastwood and films about cartels and drugs will not be disappointed. 80% (02/12/2019)