‘Cry Macho’ an Emotional Reminder of Eastwood’s Talent

Clint Eastwood still an actor and director, and his latest film, ‘Cry Macho’ is in theaters this weekend and is also airing on HBO Max. Despite his age, the Eastwood star still shines as a director and actor.

The film has a certain charm to the Eastwood fan, but the film is breaking new ground, and for me at least it is on the lower end of the spectrum of notable actor / director achievements.

The story is based on a novel by N. Richard Nash published in 1975 after the author tried to sell it as a script. Since then, history has ravaged Hollywood.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger was scheduled to star in an adaptation in 2011, but production was discontinued before the film was shot.

Eastwood had screenwriter Nick Schenk rewrite the original script by Nash, and the film, which will be reminiscent of a “special afternoon attempt” of a tough movie, was shot in New Mexico last year despite the challenge from Covid19.

The story is simple: Eastwood’s character, former rodeo builder and horse trainer Mike Milo, owes much to the great Texas rancher Howard (Dwight Yoakam) who saved him from a difficult time during a rock bottom many years ago.Howard hires Milo to bring his 13-year-old son Rafo (Eduardo Minett) and the boy’s fighting cock, Macho, back from the boy’s “abusive” mother in Mexico.

Milo is a classic Eastwood style but honorable motherfucker who loves children and animals. Accept the mission and try to save Rafo and Macho.

The film is reminiscent of something from John Wayne’s last film, “The Shootist,” about a sick shooter who starred as young Ron Howard as a teenager, whom Wayne’s character took under his wing. Milo of Eastwood makes a similar reference to the young Rafo.

“This macho thing is overrated,” says Milo to the boy at the climax of the film. “You think you have all the answers, but then you get old and find you don’t have any. If you find out, it’s too late.”

Eastwood’s Milo is a softer, more introspective, and perhaps smarter version of Eastwood’s laconic tough guy stereotype. Sure, Eastwood’s character hits, falls in love with a lady, and is on the run to save Rafo and the wild chicken. But take a more leisurely step.

For the most part, one can predict the twists and turns of the film, but the ride is mostly quick and enjoyable if you’re an Eastwood fanatic. Natalia Traven is solid as the widow Milo has a little affair when Rafo polishes one of her granddaughters while she is at the ranch.

While the film doesn’t really fall into Eastwood’s most popular action-drama genre, it’s okay. He made dozens of these films that we can watch again anytime. This film is a little different, perhaps a little closer to his 1978 comedy “Any Which Way But Loose”.

While some Eastwood fans may be a little disappointed with “Cry Macho”, I liked the slightly different taste of the film more than what it isn’t.