‘Cry Macho’ a simple, sentimental film

Acclaimed filmmaker Clint Eastwood has one of the most high-profile and longest careers in the film industry. Over the years, Eastwood has worked on numerous westerns, dramas and even gave the world ‘Dirty Harry.’

Now, the filmmaker goes back to his Western roots in what could be his final acting role and brings the N. Richard Nash novel, ‘Cry Macho’ to the big screen.

In the Warner Brothers/Clint Eastwood drama ‘Cry Macho,’ the film follows Mike Milo, a one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder who, in 1979, takes a job from an ex-boss to bring the man’s young son home from Mexico.

Forced to take the backroads on their way to Texas, the unlikely pair faces an unexpectedly challenging journey, during which the world-weary horseman finds unexpected connections and his own sense of redemption.

‘Cry Macho’ is an enjoyable little drama put together by the acclaimed filmmaker. There are quite a few moments that are really heart-felt, especially when Eastwood’s character gets closer to the boy. The film can get a little tense at times when the boy’s mother sends a few men to get her boy back.

Now, this may not be Eastwood’s best film. Yet, the director still shows that, at the age of 91, he still has what it takes to make a decent feature film. The scenery in the film is really beautiful and it’s great to see Eastwood back to his Western roots.

If you enjoy any film from Clint Eastwood, then I’m certain you’ll enjoy ‘Cry Macho.’ Filled with some heart-warming moments, incredible scenery and a couple small chuckles, ‘Cry Macho’ doesn’t disappoint.

The cast: Clint Eastwood (The Mule) as Mike Milo; Eduardo Minett as Rafo; Horacio Garcias Rojas as Aurelio, Natalia Travern (Collateral Damage) as Marta; Ivan Hernandez as Tino; Jorge-Luis Pallo as Deputy Diaz; Fernando Urrejola (Netflix’s Blue Miracle; Netflix’s Narcos: Mexico) as Leta and Dwight Yoakum (Crank: High Voltage; Logan Lucky; Four Christmases) as Howard Polk.

‘Cry Macho’ is written by N. Richard Nash and Nick Schenk (The Mule; The Judge) and produced and directed by Clint Eastwood (Richard Jewell; The Mule; Sully).

N. Richard Nash’s ‘Macho’ was a screenplay rejected twice by 20th Century Fox in the 1970s. As a result, the writer reworked the material into a novel and published it as ‘Cry Macho’ on Jan. 1, 1975. After receiving positive reviews for the novel, Nash pitched the screenplay again, claiming that he did it without changing a word, and sold it to several studios before his death in 2000.

In October 2020, it was reported that Eastwood would act, produce and direct the film for Warner Brothers, using Nash’s screenplay with additional contributions from

‘The Mule’ screenwriter Nick Schenk.

The latest Clint Eastwood feature has received mixed reviews and grossed $4.5 million in its opening weekend.

‘Cry Macho’ is rated PG-13 for language and thematic elements and a running time of 2 hours.