The Mule- Movie Review (No Spoilers)

By Michael Momper

Clint Eastwood is 88 years old and still going strong. His capable hands are all over his latest movie, The Mule, as he plays the lead role and directs the film as well. It seemed that many critics were initially apprehensive about the idea, as some mentioned that he seemed to be playing the same grizzled and stubborn old man that he has played before, such as in Gran Torino. Many critics, unfortunately, completely fly off the handle when they hear racial slurs in a movie, despite what the message of the movie is. This is a very ignorant way to digest a movie and I feel sorry for them for having missed some great film-making. If you are a fan of Clint Eastwood or dark American dramas, read on, because chances are good that a little bit of rough humor and nicknames are not going to make you jump out of your seat and protest.

The Mule is an extremely entertaining genre piece because it deftly blends multiple plot devices; it is at its heart a character study of a 90-year old gardener who is seeing his life unravel while realizing that America has changed and perhaps left people like him behind. Clint Eastwood turns in such an excellent performance that every one of his predicaments is eminently believable, and though the message can at times be driven into you with sledgehammer-like potency, the importance of family is shown in a very interesting way. Along with the elements of a traditional protagonist character study, the movie is also a dark and intriguing thriller with some great twists and turns. There are a few unexpected deaths and strong tension built organically from the race between DEA Agents (perfectly played by Bradley Cooper and Michael Pena) and Clint Eastwood's character, Earl Stone.

Earl Stone is a character with motivations that seem quite plausible in a dead-end life set in the Midwest. As his horticulture business, his ultimate pride and joy, slowly fizzles out with the developments of modern consumerism, he realizes just how much of his family's life and love he missed out on over the years. When he is offered a job to "just drive" to different hotels and drop off secret contraband, he willingly accepts and is blown away by the amazing cash payoff. He is, however, purposefully ignorant, happily obeying the cartel's instructions to never snoop around in the trunk of his pickup and risk discovering something he might otherwise wish he didn't know. His motives are ultimately Machiavellian, and it is easy to see how things can spiral out of control once he realizes he can artificially mend his life when he has a seemingly endless stream of liquidity.

This movie is one of the highlights of the year. There is occasional humor, great intrigue and plot complexity, full-fledged characters that are superbly acted (most notably, Andy Garcia's cartel boss character), and relevant commentary on the fabric of society. Along with the dark tone of the story, there is plenty of lightheartedness- the first half of the movie feels very much like a road movie, some of which I quite enjoy due to the simplicity and subtlety of the atmosphere. Eastwood's directing hand is steady as always, with no quick-cut choppy editing and a clear-eyed focus on the emotions of the characters within. With something for almost everybody, this movie is sure to please fans of most types of thrillers, provided they have the patience to develop a relationship with the characters and appreciate realistic, down-to-earth performances.

Rating: 93/100