Cry Macho Movie Review

Cry Macho (2021)

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Written by: Nick Schenk and N. Richard Nash (screenplay by), N. Richard Nash (based on the novel by)
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam, Daniel V. Graulau
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
A one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder takes a job to bring a man's young son home and away from his alcoholic mom. On their journey, the horseman finds redemption through teaching the boy what it means to be a good man.

Verdict
Surprisingly boring, and I've seen Eastwood's last few movies. The story does nothing interesting and the conclusion is lackluster. There is no point to watching this. It does exactly what you think it will do based on the description.
Skip it.

Review
This reminds me of The Mule, Clint Eastwood directing and acting in a movie about an out of touch old man. At least The Mule had some comedy even if it was unintentional. Clint Eastwood was ninety years old while making this movie. That is impressive alone, and really the only impressive thing about this movie.

Clint Eastwood plays Mike Milo

Mike (Clint Eastwood) is fired in the first scene just to set up the next scene a year later where Howard (Dwight Yoakam), the guy that fired him, hires Mike as a mercenary to get his son. These scenes don't do much character development. The entire plan is less than half baked, all to start a cliche odd couple road trip plot.

Mike goes to Mexico to get the boy, Rafo (Eduardo Minett), and the boy's mother is odd. Maybe she's stirring up trouble due to the character, but it really seems like it's just to push the plot along. If it's the character that is poorly established.

Mike finds the boy rather easily and they become friends rather quickly despite the boy stating he doesn't trust anyone.

Eduardo Minett and Clint Eastwood play Rafo and Mike.

Eastwood seems like a go to for fact based or old man faces opposition stories. Both sub-genres fit his style, a straightforward, competent style. It's easy to see where this is going. Mike and the boy become friends as they run from the law. At some point they start playing house with a woman they met that likes Mike. I'm not sure why this started, admittedly I was very bored by this point. Maybe they play house to lay low or because Mike is trying to protect the boy. There are very few surprises here, except for the final scene with Mike because that conclusion wasn't established very well.